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A  CHRONOLOGICAL  ARRANGEMENT 


OF 


CONGRESSIONAL    LEGISLATION 

RELATING    TO 

THE   MEDICAL   CORPS 

OF    THE 

UNITED  STATES  ARMY 

FROM   1785  TO   1917 


COLONEL    WILLIAM     O.     OWEN 

Medical  Corps,  T.   S.   Anr  v     ."•-  ' 'fdical  Museum 

,     vCTOW    D.    (• 


American    J\iiiUio..  .     ' :  iociATiON 
1918 


I: 


Ui 


/f/;- 


A  CHRONOLOGICAL  ARRANGEMENT 


OF 


CONGRESSIONAL    LEGISLATION 

RELATING    TO 

THE   MEDICAL  CORPS 

OF    THE 

UNITED  STATES  ARMY 

FROM  1785  TO  1917 


BY 


COLONEL    WILLIAM     O.     OWEN 

Medical   Corps,   U.   S.  Army;   Curator,  Army   Medical   Museum 
WASHINGTON,    D.    C. 


CHICAGO 

American    Medical   Association 

1918 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2007  with  funding  from 

IVIicrosoft  Corporation 


http://www.archive.org/details/chronologicalarrOOowen 


_^  ^' 


PREFACE 


This  compilation  comprises  all  congressional  legislation 
relating  to  the  Medical  Corps  of  the  United  States  Army 
from  the  foundation  of  our  government  down  to  the  present 
year,  in  the  form  of  excerpts  essential  to  the  matter  from 
every  bill  which  has  become  a  law.  These  extracts  have  not 
been  confined  to  acts  of  exclusively  medico-military  character, 
but  every  item  relating  to  our  Army  medical  establishment 
in  other  bills  has  been  included.  I  have  been  moved  to 
abstract  this  material  partly  from  a  desire  to  arrange  the 
legislative  history  of  our  Medical  Corps  in  chronological 
order,  mainly,  however,  because  I  conceive  that  such  an 
arrangement  must  obviously  be  of  great  practical  use  to  our 
legislators  and  to  medical  officers  interested  in  legislation 
relating  to  their  corps.  It  is  not  easy  to  find  the  excerpts 
contained  herein  without  considerable  trouble  and  expenditure 
of  time,  and  the  American  Medical  Association,  which  has 
always  been  a  loyal  friend  of  the  Army  Medical  Corps,  has 
generously  volunteered  to  print  this  manual  for  ready  refer- 
ence as  a  labor-saving  compend.  The  fragmentary  and  fitful 
character  of  much  of  the  legislation  bearing  upon  our  Army 
medical  establishment  is  evidenced  in  these  pages,  and  it  is 
worthy  of  note  that  in  the  early  days,  even  in  1861-5  and 
1898,  the  appointment  of  surgeons  was  designated  in  desultory 
fashion  in  congressional  bills  as  part  of  the  complement  of 
an  individual  regiment,  instead  of  being  provided  for  as  a 
definite  increase  in  number  of  the  Medical  Corps.  I  feel 
confident  that  this  compend  will  be  a  helpful  guide  to  those 
who  will  deal  with  progressive  medico-military  legislation 
in  the  future.  The  earlier  legislation  relating  to  the  medical 
establishment  of  the  Continental  Army  in  the  Revolutionary 
period,  which  I  have  also  compiled,  is  of  historical  rather 
than  practical  interest,  and  has  therefore  been  published  in 
the  Annals  of  Medical  History,  New  York,  1917. 

W.  O.  Owen,  Colonel,  Medical  Corps,  U.  S.  Army. 


CONGRESSIONAL    LEGISLATION 

ON  THE   MEDICAL  CORPS 

OF  THE  U.  S.  ARMY 


IN  CONGRESS— April  12,  1785  (page  78). 

One  surgeon  and  four  mates  to  be  furnished  by  the  said 
states  in  proportion  to  the  number  of  privates  which  they 
respectively  furnish. 

That  the  pay  of surgeon  $45  per  month ;  mate,  $30. 

June  2,  1785 
Resolved,  That  those  officers  of  the  hospital  department  in 
the  southern  army,  who  were  detained  in  Charleston,  after 
its  surrender  to  the  British  troops,  for  the  purpose  of  attend- 
ing the  sick  and  wounded  of  the  army  of  the  United  States, 
which,  in  consideration  of  the  extra  expenses  which  they 
incurred  by  the  performance  of  the  said  duty,  be  allowed  the 
sums  affixed  to  their  respective  names  contained  in  a  return 
deposited  in  the  war-office,  which  was  transmitted  and  signed 
by  David  Oliphant,  deputy  director  of  the  southern  hospital. 

June  20,  1785 

On  the  report  of  a  committee,  consisting  of  Mr.  William- 
son, Mr.  Stewart  and  Mr.  Howell,  to  whom  was  referred  the 
petition  of  Dr.  J.  Morgan. 

Resolved,  That  whenever  Dr.  J.  Morgan  shall  have 
accounted  for  the  stores  delivered  to  his  care,  or  when  the 
several  charges  against  his  former  department  shall  have 
been  delivered  in,  and  it  shall  appear  to  the  commissioner 
for  settling  the  hospital  accounts,  that  the  doctor's  papers 
and  books  are  unavoidably  destroyed,  or  that  he  has  rendered 
the  best  account  of  the-  stores  committed  to  his  care,  of 
which  the  circumstances  of  the  case  would  admit  he  shall 
obtain  a  certificate  for  the  balance  due  him. 

May  8,  1786 
Resolved,  That  the  powers  and  duties  heretofore  exercised 
by  the  commissioners  for  the  quartermaster's  and  the  com- 
missary's departments  be  exercised  by  one  commissioner,  and 
that  the  powers  and  duties  of  the  commissioners  for  the  hos- 
pital, marine  and  clothier's  departments  be  exercised  by  one 


other  commissioner,  to  be  elected  annually  by  Congress:  and 
that  the  salary  of  each  of  the  said  commissioners  be  at  the 
rate  of  $1,250  per  annum. 


AN  ACT  for  regulating   the  Military  Establishment   of  the 
U.  S.    Approved,  April  30,  1790.    1  Stat.  119. 

Sec.  3.     The  regiment  of  infantry  to  be  composed  of 

one  surgeon,  two  surgeon's  mates. 

The  battalion   of   artillery one   surgeon's   mate. 

Sec.  5.     Pay. 
Sec.  7.    Rations. 
Sec.  8.     Forage. 


AN  ACT  for  raising  and  adding  another  Regiment   to   the 

Military   Establishment   of    the    U.   S.,   and   for    making 

farther   provision    for    the    protection    of    the    frontiers. 

Approved,  3d  March,  1791.     1  Stat.  222. 

Sec.  2.     That  the  said  regiment  shall  be  organized  in  the 

same  manner  as  the   regiment  of   infantry   described  in  the 

act,  entitled  "An  Act  for  regulating  the  military  establishment 

of  the  U.  S." 

Sec.  13.     Engagement    of   additional    number    of   surgeon's 
mates. 


AN  ACT  for  making  farther  and  more  effectual  provision  for 
the   protection    of    the    frontiers   of   the    United    States. 
Approved,  March  5,  1792.    1  Stat.  241. 
Sec.  2.    That  there  shall  be  raised  for  a  term  not  exceed- 
ing three  years,  three  additional  regiments,   (Note, 

see  Act  of  April  30,  1790.)    That  the  organization  of 

the  said  squadron  of  light  dragoons  shall  be  as  follows,  to 

wit :   one  surgeon's  mate. 

Sec.  7.    Pay. 

AN  ACT  more  effectually  to  provide  for  the  national  defence, 
by  establishing  an  uniform  militia  throughout  the  U.  S. 
Approved,  May  8,  1792.    1  Stat.  272. 

Sec.  3.  Regimental  staff one  surgeon,  and  one  sur- 
geon's mate. 

Sec.  9.  That  if  any  person,  whether  officer  or  soldier, 
belonging  to  the  militia  of  any  state,  and  called  out  into  the 
service  of  the  U.  S.,  be  wounded  or  disabled  while  in  actual 
service,  he  shall  be  taken  care  of  and  provided  for  at  the 
public  expense. 


AN  ACT  for  raising  and  organizing  a  Corps  of  Artillerists 
and  Engineers.    Approved,  May  9,  1794.    1  Stat.  266. 
'Sec.  3.     One  surgeon.     Four  battalions,  each  to  consist  of 
one  surgeon's  mate. 


AN  ACT  for  continuing  and  regulating  the  Military  Establish- 
ment of  the  U.  S.,  and  for  repealing  sundry  Acts  hereto- 
fore passed  on  that  subject.  Approved,  March  2,  1795. 
1  Stat.  420. 

Sec.  10.    Pay. 
Sec.  11.    Rations. 
Sec.  12.    Forage. 


AN  ACT  to  ascertain  and  fix  the  Military  Establishment  of 
the  United  States.    Approved,  May  20,  1796.    1  Stat.  482. 

Sec.  2.     That   each   regiment  of   infantry   shall   consist   of 

one    surgeon,    two    surgeon's    mates    Provided 

always,  That  the  President  of  the  U.  S.  may,  in  his  discre- 
tion, appoint  an  additional  number  of  surgeon's  mates,  not 
exceeding  ten. 

Sec.  4.  Four  regiments,  and  two  companies  of  light 
dragoons. 

Sec.  12.     Pay. 

Sec.  13.    Rations. 

Sec.  14.    Forage.  

AN  ACT  to  provide  an  additional  regiment  of  Artillerists  and 
Engineers.     Approved,  April  27,  1798.    1  Stat.  552. 
Sec.  1.     One  surgeon.     Three  battalions,  each  to  consist  of 
one  surgeon's  mate. 


AN  ACT  authorizing  the  President  of  the  United  States  to 
raise    a   Provisional   Army.     Approved,   May    28,   1798. 
1  Stat.  558. 
Sec.  7.     That  in  case  the  President  shall  judge  the  employ- 
ment of  a    physician-general    essential   to  the 

public  service,  he  is  hereby  authorized  to  appoint  the 

same  accordingly,  who  shall  be  entitled  to  the  rank,  pay  and 

emoluments  which  follow,  viz. :    physician-general,  the 

pay  and  emoluments  of  a  lieutenant-colonel ;  Provided,  that  in 

case  the  President  shall  judge  it  expedient  to  appoint a 

physician-general' in  the  recess  of  the   Senate,  he  is 

hereby  authorized  to  make  any  or  all  of  said  appointments, 


and  grant  commissions  thereon,  which  shall  expire  at  the  end 
of  the  next  session  of  the  Senate  thereafter. 

Sec.  9.  Physician-general  shall  continue  in  com- 
mission during  such  term  only  as  the  President  shall  judge 
requisite  for  the  public  service. 


AN  ACT  to  augment  the  Army  of  the  United  States,  and  for 
other  purposes.    Approved,  July  16,  1798.    1  Stat.  604. 

Sec.   1.     Each  regiment  of  infantry  shall  consist  of 

one    surgeon,    two    surgeon's   mates, Provided    always. 

That  the  President  of  the  U.  S.  may,  in  his  discretion,  appoint 
and  distribute  such  additional  number  of  surgeon's  mates, 
and  for  such  length  of  time,  as  the  exigencies  of  the  service 
may  require. 


AN  ACT  to  regulate  the  Medical  Establishment.    Approved 
March  2,  1799.     1  Stat.  721. 

(Note. — Repealed  and  supplied  by  Act  of  16  March,  1802,  chap.  9, 
sees.   3  and  29,  and  see  acts  of  July,   1862.) 

That  in  the  medical  establishment  of  the  United  States 
there  shall  be  the  following  officers:  A  physician-general, 
who  shall  be  charged  with  the  superintendence  and  direction 
of  all  military  hospitals,  and,  generally,  of  all  medical  and 
chirurgical  practice  or  service  concerning  the  Army  or  Navy 
of  the  United  States,  and  of  all  persons  who  shall  be  employed 
in  and  about  the  same,  in  camps,  garrisons,  and  hospitals.  An 
apothecary-general,  and  one  or  more  deputies,  who  shall  be 
charged  with  the  safe  keeping  and  delivery  of  all  medicines, 
instruments,  dressings,  and  other  articles,  for  the  use  of  the 
hospital  and  army.  A  purveyor,  who  shall  be  charged  with 
providing  medicines,  stores,  and  whatsoever  else  may  be  neces- 
sary in  relation  to  the  said  practice  or  service.  A  competent 
number  of  hospital  surgeons,  who  shall  be  liable  to  serve  in 
the  field,  and  who  shall  have  the  immediate  charge  and  direc- 
tion of  such  military  hospitals  as  may  be  committed  to  their 
care,  respectively.  A  suitable  number  of  hospital  mates,  who 
are  to  observe  the  directions  of  the  hospital  surgeons,  and 
shall  diligently  perform  all  reasonable  duties  required  of 
them  for  the  recovery  of  the  sick  and  wounded. 

Sec.  2.  That  each  military  hospital  shall  have  a  steward, 
with  a  competent  number  of  nurses,  and  other  attendants ; 
which  steward  shall  be  charged  with  the  procuring  of  such 
supplies  as  may  not  otherwise  be  furnished,  and  with  the 
safe  keeping  and  issuing  of  all  supplies. 


Sec.  3.  That  the  said  physician-general,  hospital  surgeons, 
purveyor,  and  apothecary  and  apothecaries,  deputy  or  depu- 
ties, shall  be  appointed  as  other  officers  of  the  United  States ; 
that  the  said  mates  and  stewards  shall  be  appointed  by  the 
authority,  and  at  the  direction,  of  the  said  physician-general, 
subject  to  the  eventual  approbation  and  control  of  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States,  and  shall  be  removable  by  the 
authority  of  the  said  physician-general;  and  that  the  surgeon 
of  each  hospital  shall  appoint,  employ,  and  fix  the  compen- 
sations of  the  nurses  and  other  attendants  of  such  hospital, 
subject  to  the  control  of  the  said  physician-general,  or  the 
hospital  surgeon,  of  senior  appointment,  with  a  separate  army, 
or  in  a  separate  district. 

Sec.  4.  That  as  often  as  the  regimental  sick  will  not  suf- 
fer by  the  employing  of  the  regimental  surgeons  or  mates 
in  the  temporary  or  other  hospitals  of  the  United  ^States,  the 
physician-general,  or  the  hospital  surgeon,  of  senior  appoint- 
ment, with  a  separate  army,  or  in  a  separate  district,  with 
the  consent  of  the  general  and  commander-in-chief,  or  the 
officer  commanding  a  separate  army,  may  require  the  atten- 
dance of  such  surgeons,  or  surgeon's  mates,  as,  in  his  opinion, 
can  be  with  safety  so  withdrawn  from  their  regiments. 

Sec.  5.  That  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  physician-general, 
with  two  or  more  hospital  surgeons,  to  frame  a  system  of 
directions  relative  to  the  description  of  patients  to  be  admitted 
into  the  hospitals;  to  the  means  of  promoting  cleanliness  in 
the  hospitals;  to  the  prevention  of  idleness,  skulking,  and 
gambling  in  the  hospitals;  to  the  prevention  of  the  spread 
of  infectious  distempers  in  the  camps  and  hospitals,  and  the 
government  of  nurses,  and  all  others  charged  with  the  care 
of  the  sick  in  camps  or  hospitals,  subject,  in  the  first  instance, 
to  the  approbation  and  revision  of  the  commander-in-chief, 
the  commander  of  a  separate  army,  or  in  a  separate  district, 
as  the  case  may  be,  and  eventually,  to  the  approbation  and 
control  of  the  President  of  the  United  States;  Provided 
always.  That  the  said  directions,  having  received  the  sanction 
of  the  commander-in-chief,  or  the  commander  of  a  separate 
army,  shall  be  operative,  and  remain  in  full  force,  unless 
altered  or  annulled  by  the  President  of  the  United  States. 

Sec.  6.  That  the  compensations  of  the  said  several  officers 
shall  be  as  follows:  of  the  physician-general,  $100  pay  per 
month,  and  $50  per  month,  which  shall  be  in  full  compensa- 
tion for  forage,  rations,  and  traveling  expenses ;  of  the  pur- 
veyor, $100  pay  per  month,  in  full  compensation  for  his  ser- 
vices, and  all  expenses:  of  the  apothecary-general,  $80  pay 
per   month,   and   $30   per   month,   in    full   compensation    for 


forage,  rations,  and  all  expenses :  of  each  of  his  deputies, 
$50  pay  per  month,  and  $16  per  month,  in  full  compensation 
for  forage,  rations,  and  all  expenses :  of  each  hospital  sur- 
geon, $80  pay  per  month,  and  $40  per  month,  in  full  com- 
pensation for  forage,  rations,  and  all  expenses :  of  each  mate, 
$30  pay  per  month,  and  $20  per  month,  in  full  compensation 
for  forage,  rations,  and  all  expenses :  of  each  steward,  $25 
pay  per  month,  and  $8  per  month,  in  full  compensation  for 
forage,  rations,  and  all  expenses :  Provided,  That  none  of 
the  officers  aforesaid  shall  be  entitled  to  any  part  of  the  pay 
or  emoluments  aforesaid,  until  they  shall,  respectively,  be 
called  into  actual  service. 

Sec.  7.  That,  for  the  accommodation  of  the  sick  of  the 
Army  and  Navy  of  the  United  States,  the  physician-general, 
and  hospital  surgeon  of  senior  appointment,  with  the  appro- 
bation of  the  general  commanding  the  army  within  the  dis- 
trict where  he  shall  be,  shall  have  power  to  provide  tempo- 
rary hospitals :  and  the  physician-general,  with  the  approba- 
tion of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  shall  have  power 
to  provide  and  establish  permanent  hospitals. 

Sec.  8.  That  all  the  said  officers,  and  others,  shall,  as  touch- 
ing their  several  offices  and  duties,  be  liable  to  the  rules  and 
regulations  for  the  government  and  discipline  of  the  Army, 
and  shall  be  bound  to  obey,  in  conformity  with  law  and  the 
usages  and  customs  of  armies,  the  orders  and  directions  of 
the  chief  military  officers  of  the  respective  armies,  and  within 
the  respective  districts  in  which  they  shall  respectively  serve 
and  be. 

Sec.  9.  That  the  physician-general,  or,  in  his  absence,  the 
senior  medical  officer,  with  the  approbation  of  the  commander- 
in-chief,  or  commanding  officer  of  a  separate  army,  be,  and 
hereby  is,  authorized  and  empowered,  as  often  as  may  be 
judged  necessary,  to  call  a  medical  board,  which  shall  consist 
of  the  three  senior  medical  officers,  then  present,  whose  duty 
it  shall  be  to  examine  all  candidates  for  employment  or  pro- 
motion in  the  hospital  department,  and  certify  to  the  Secre- 
tary of  War  the  qualifications  of  each. 


AN  ACT  giving  eventual  authority  to  the  President  of  the 
United  States  to  augment  the  Army.  Approved,  March 
2,  1799.    1  Stat.  725. 

Sec.  1.  Twenty-four  regiments  of  infantry,  a  regiment  and 
a  battalion  of  riflemen,  a  battalion  of  artillerists  and  engi- 
neers, and  three  regiments  of  cavalry.  Medical  officers  a  part 
of  each. 


AN  ACT  for  the  better  organidng  of  the  troops  of  the 
United  States,  and  for  other  purposes.  Approved,  March 
3,  1799.    1  Stat.  749. 

Sec.  1.     A  regiment  of  infantry  shall  consist  of  one 

surgeon,  and  two  surgeon's   mates.     A  regiment  of  cavalry 

shall  consist  of one  surgeon,  and  two  surgeon's  mates. 

A  regiment  of  artillery  shall  consist  of   one  surgeon, 

and  two  surgeon's  mates. 

Sec.  3.     Pay,  rations,  and  forage. 

Sec.  24.     Medicines  and  hospital  stores. 


AN  ACT  supplementary  to   the  act  to   suspend  part   of  an 
act  entitled:  An  act  to  augment  the  Army  of  the  United 
States,  and  for  other  purposes.    Approved,  May  14,  1800. 
Stat.  2.    85-86. 
Sec.  2.     Empowered  to   discharge,   on   or  before  the   15th 
day  of  June  next,  all  such  officers,  non-commissioned  officers 
and  privates  as  have  heretofore  been  appointed,  commissioned 
or  raised,  under  and  by  virtue  of  the  said  acts,  or  either  of 
them,  except  the  engineers,  inspector  of  military,  and  inspec- 
tor of  fortifications.     Provided,  always.  That  nothing  in  this 
Act  contained  shall  be  construed  to  authorize  any  reduction 
of  the  first  four  regiments  of  infantry,  the  two  regiments  of 
artillerists    and    engineers,    and    the    two    troops    of    light 
dragoons,   or  of  the  general  and  other   staflF,  authorized  by 
the  several  laws  for  the  establishing  and  organizing  of  the 
aforesaid  corps.  

AN  ACT  fixing  the  military  peace  establishment  of  the 
United  States.    Approved,  March  16,  1802.    2  Stat.  132. 

(Repeals  Act  of  March  2,  1799.) 

Sec.  1.  That  the  military  peace  establishment  of  the  United 
States,  from  and  after  the  1st  of  June  next,  shall  be  composed 
of  one  regiment  of  artillerists,  and  two  regiments  of  infantry, 
with  such  officers,  military  agents,  and  engineers,  as  are  here- 
inafter mentioned. 

Sec.  3.  That  there  shall  be  two  surgeons,  twenty- 
five  surgeon's  mates,  to  be  attached  to  the  garrisons  or  posts, 
and  not  to  corps. 

(Note. — See,  for  surgeons,  the  2  March,  1821,  chap.  13,  sec.  10, 
and   note.) 

Sec.  4.    To  each  surgeon,  $45 ;  to  each  surgeon's  mate,  $30. 

Sec.  5.  A  surgeon,  three  rations ;  a  surgeon's  mate,  two 
rations.  To  such  matrons  and  nurses  as  may  be  necessarily 
employed  in  the  hospital,  one  ration  each. 

Sec.  7.  In  lieu  of  forage,  to  each  surgeon  $10;  and  each 
surgeon's  mate,  $6. 


8 

AN  ACT,  more  effectually  to  provide  for  the  organization  of 
the  Militia  of  the  District  of  Columbia.  Approved,  March 
3.  1803.    2  Stat.  215. 

Sec.  19.     A  legionary  staff,  to  consist  of   one  sur- 
geon, one  surgeon's  mate. 


AN  ACT,  in  addition  to  "An  act  for  fixing  the  military  peace 
establishment  of  the  United  States."  Approved,  March 
26,  1804.    2  Stat.  290. 

Sec.  1.  That  there  shall  be  appointed,  in  addition  to  the 
surgeon's  mates  provided  for  by  the  "Act  fixing  the  military 
peace  establishment  of  the  U.  S."  as  many  surgeon's  mates, 
not  exceeding  six,  as  the  President  of  the  U.  S.  may  judge 
necessary,  to  be  attached  to  garrisons  or  posts,  agreeably  to 
the  provisions  of  the  said  act. 

(Note. — Twenty-five  authorized  by  original  act.) 


AN  ACT  to  provide  for  persons  who  were  disabled  by  known 
wounds  received  in  the  Revolutionary  War.  Approved, 
April  10,  1806.    2  Stat.  376. 

Sec.  2.    The  nature  of  such  disability must  be  proved 

by  the  affidavit  of  some  reputable  physician  or  surgeon,  stat- 
ing his  opinion  either  from  his  own  knowledge  and  acquaint- 
ance with  the  claimant,  or  from  an  examination  of  such 
claimant  on  oath  or  affirmation.  And  the  said  physician  or 
surgeon,  in  his  affidavit,  shall  particularly  describe  the  wound 
or  wounds  from  whence  the  disability  appears  to  be  derived. 

Sec.  5.  Every  invalid  making  application  for  this  purpose 
shall  be  examined  by  two  reputable  physicians  or  surgeons. 
Which  report  shall  be  transmitted  by  said  physicians  or  sur- 
geons to  the  Secretary  for  the  Department  of  War. 


AN  ACT  to  raise  for  a  limited  time  an  additional  m^ilitary 
force.    Approved,  April  12,  1808.    2  Stat.  481. 

Sec.  1.  That,  in  addition  to  the  present  military  estab- 
lishment of  the  U.  S.,  there  be  raised  five  regiments  of 
infantry,  one  regiment  of  riflemen,  one  regiment  of  light 
artillery,  and  one  regiment  of  light  dragoons,  to  be  enlisted 
for  the  term  of  five  years,  unless  sooner  discharged. 

Sec.  2.     That  the  said  regiments  of  infantry,  riflemen,  and 

artillery,  shall  consist  of   one  surgeon,  one  surgeon's 

mate. 


Sec.  3.  And  such  number  of  hospital  surgeons,  and  sur- 
geon's mates,  as  the  service  may  require,  but  not  exceeding 
five  surgeons  and  fifteen  mates,  with  one  steward  and  one 
wardmaster  to  each  hospital. 

Sec.  4.     Pay,  rations,  forage. 


AN  ACT  to  raise  an  additional  Military  Force.  Approved, 
Jan.  11,  1812.    2  Stat.  671. 

Sec.  1.  That  there  be  immediately  raised  ten  regiments  of 
infantry,  two  regiments  of  artillery,  and  one  regiment  of  light 
dragoons. 

Sec.  3.  To  each  regiment  raised  under  this  act,  whether  of 
infantry,  artillery  or  light  dragoons,  there  shall  be  appointed 
one  surgeon,  two  surgeon's  mates. 

Sec.  4.  There  shall  also  be  appointed  such  number  of  hos- 
pital surgeons  and  mates  as  the  service  may  require,  with 
one  steward  to  each  hospital. 


AN  ACT  for  the  more  perfect  organization  of  the  Army  of 
the  United  States.    Approved,  June  26,  1812.    2  Stat.  764. 

Sec.  1.  That  the  infantry  of  the  Army  of  the  U.  S.  shall 
consist  of  twenty-five  regiments,  and  that  a  regiment  shall 
consist  of    one  surgeon,  two  surgeon's  mates. 

Sec.  3.  And  to  the  regiment  of  light  dragoons  authorized 
by  the  act,  passed  April  12,  1808,  entitled  "An  Act  to  raise 
for  a  limited  time  an  additional  military  force,"  one  sur- 
geon's mate.  

AN  ACT  in  addition  to  the  act  entitled  "An  act  to  raise  an 
additional  military  force,"  and  for  other  purposes. 
Approved.  Jan.  29,  1813.    2  Stat.  794. 

Sec.  1.  That,  in  addition  to  the  present  military  establish- 
ment of  the  U.  S.  there  be  raised  such  number  of  regiments 
of  infantry,  not  exceeding  twenty,  as,  in  the  opinion  of  the 
President,  may  be  necessary  for  the  public  service,  to  be 
enlisted  for  the  term  of  one  year,  unless  sooner  discharged. 

Sec.  2.  That  each  of  the  said  regiments  shall  consist  of 
one  surgeon,  two  surgeon's  mates. 


AN  ACT  the  better  to  provide  for  the  supplies  of  the  Army 
of  the  United  States,  and  for  the  accountability  of  per- 
sons entrusted  with  the  same.    Approved,  March  2,  1813. 
2  Stat.  816. 
Sec.  2.     That  there  shall  be  a  superintendent-general  of 

military  supplies  whose  duty  it  shall  be,  to  prescribe 


10 

the  forms  of  all  the  returns  and  accounts  of  such  stores  and 
supplies  purchased,  on  hand,  distributed,  used,  or  sold,  to  be 

rendered  by    the  hospital  surgeons  and  other  officers 

belonging  to  the  hospital  and  medical  departments. 


AN  ACT  for  the  better  organisation  of  the  general  staff  of 
the  Army  of  the  United  States.  Approved,  March,  1813. 
2  Stat.  819. 

Sec.  7.  That,  for  the  better  superintendence  and  manage- 
ment of  the  hospital  and  medical  establishment  of  the  Army 
of  the  United  States,  there  shall  be  a  physician  and  surgeon- 
general,  with  an  annual  salary  of  $2,500,  and  an  apothecary- 
general,  with  an  annual  salary  of  $1,800;  whose  respective 
duties  and  powers  shall  be  prescribed  by  the  President  of  the 
United  States. 

(Note. — The  medical  staff  was  reorganized  by  the  2  March,  1821, 
chap.   13,  sec.  10;  and  see  the  acts  of  July,  1862,  Nos.  55,  80,  127.) 


AN  ACT  authorizing  the  President  of  the  United  States  to 

cause  certain  regiments  therein  mentioned  to  be  enlisted 

for  five  years,  or  during  the  war.     Approved,  Jan.  28, 

1814.    3  Stat.  96. 

Fourteen  regiments  of  infantry  each  with  one  surgeon  and 

two  surgeon's   mates    (see   previous   act).     These   regiments 

were  authorized  previously  for  one  year  enlistments. 


AN  ACT  to  raise  three  regiments  of  riflemen.  Approved, 
Feb.  10,  1814.    3  Stat.  96. 

Sec.  1.  That  there  be  immediately  raised  such  number  of 
regiments  of  riflemen,  not  exceeding  three 

Sec.  2.  That  each  regiment  shall  consist  of one  sur- 
geon, one  surgeon's  mate. 


AN  ACT  for  the  better  organising,  paying,  and  supplying  the 
Army  of  the  United  States.  Approved,  March  30,  1814. 
3  Stat.  113. 

Sec.  4.  That,  in  lieu  of  the  two  regiments  of  light  dragoons 
now  in  service,  there  shall  be  organized  one  regiment,  to  con- 
sist of  one  surgeon,  two  surgeon's  mates. 

Sec.  9.  That,  from  and  after  the  first  day  of  June  next, 
the  officers  of  the  army  shall  be  entitled  to  waiters  agreeable 
to  grade,  as  follows :  The  physician  and  surgeon-general, 
two;  hospital  surgeon,  one. 


11 

Sec.  11.  That  the  President  of  the  United  States  be  author- 
ized to  appoint  as  many  assistant  apothecaries  as  the  service 
may,  in  his  judgment,  require;  each  of  whom  shall  receive 
the  same  pay  and  emoluments  as  a  regimental  surgeon's  mate. 

(Note. — Abolished  by   the   2   March,   1821,   chap.    13,   sec.    10.) 

Sec.  18.  That  the  physician  and  the  surgeon-general  of  the 
army  be  entitled  to  two  rations  per  day,  and  forage  for  two 
horses;  and  that  in  addition  to  their  pay,  as  at  present 
established  by  law,  the  regimental  surgeons  and  regimental 
surgeon's  mates  be  entitled  to  $15  per  month  each. 


AN    ACT   fixing    the    military    peace    establishment    of    the 
United  States.     Approved,  March  3,  1815.     3  Stat.  224. 

(Repeals  the   former   acts.)    (Repeals  Act   March    13,   1813.) 

Sec.  1.  That  the  military  peace  establishment  of  the  U.  S. 
shall  consist  of  such  proportions  of  artillery,  infantry,  and 
riflemen,  not  exceeding,  in  the  whole,  ten  thousand  men, 
and  that  the  corps  of  engineers,  as  at  present  estab- 
lished, be  retained. 

Sec.  2.    That  each  regiment  of  infantry  and  riflemen  shall 

consist  of  one  surgeon,  and  two  surgeon's  mates,  and 

the  regiment  of  light  artillery,  the  same  organization  as  is 
prescribed  by  the  Act  of  the  12th  day  of  April,  1808  (one 
surgeon  and  two  surgeon's  mates). 

Sec.  3.    That  there  shall  be  two  major-generals  and 

such  number  of  hospital  surgeons  and  surgeon's  mates  as  the 
service  may  require,  not  exceeding  five  surgeons  and  fifteen 
mates,  with  one  steward  and  one  wardmaster  to  each  hospital. 

(Note. — Words  in  italics  repealed  by  sec.  1,  chap.  61,  14  April,  1818.) 


AN  ACT  for  organizing  the  general  staff  and  making  further 
provisions  for  the  army  of  the  United  States.  Approved, 
April  24,  1816.    3  Stat.  297. 

Sec.  1.  And  that  the  apothecary-general,  as  heretofore 
authorized,  be  allowed  two  assistant  apothecaries. 

Sec.  2.  That  the  medical  staff  shall  be  so  extended  that 
there  shall  be  four  hospital  surgeons,  and  eight  hospital  sur- 
geon's mates,  to  each  division,  with  as  many  post  surgeons 
as  the  service  may  require,  not  exceeding  twelve  to  each 
division ;  who  shall  receive  the  same  pay  and  emoluments  as 
hospital  surgeon's  mates. 

Sec.  10.  And  that  the  garrison  surgeons  and  mates  be 
hereafter  considered  as  post  surgeons. 


12 

AN  ACT  regulating  the  staff  of  the  army.    Approved,  April 
14,  1818.    3  Stat.  426. 

Sec.  1.  That  so  much  of  the  act  "fixing  the  military  peace 
establishment  of  the  U.  S."  passed  the  3d  of  March,  1815, 
as  relates  to  hospital  stewards  and  wardmasters,  and  so  much 

as    relates    to    hospital    surgeons,    hospital    surgeon's 

mates,   be  and  the  same  is  hereby  repealed. 

Sec.  2.  That  there  shall  be  one  surgeon-general,  with  a 
salary  of  $2,500  per  annum,  one  assistant  surgeon-general, 
with  the  emoluments  of  a  hospital  surgeon;  and  that  the  num- 
ber of  post  surgeons  be  increased,  not  to  exceed  eight  to 
each  division. 

(Notes. — Same  salary  for  the  surgeon-general,  by  the  3  March,  1813, 
chap.  52,  sec.  7,  ante,  and  $20  per  month  more  by  11  Feb.,  1857.  This 
office  of  assistant  surgeon-general  is  abolished  by  the  2  March,  1821, 
chap  13,  sec.  10,  organizing  the  medical  staff,  but  again  created  in 
chap.  55,  16  April,  1862.  See,  for  the  medical  staff,  the  2  March,  1821, 
chap.  13,  sec.  10,  and  see  note  (c)  to  chap.  42,  3  Aug.,  1861,  and 
chap.   55,   16  April,   1862.) 

Sec.  8.  That  the  President  may  make  such  alterations  in 
the  component  parts  of  the  ration  as  a  due  regard  to  the 
health  and  comfort  of  the  army  and  economy  may  require. 


AN   ACT   regulating    the   payments    to    invalid   pensioners. 
Approved,  March  3,  1819.     3  Stat.  514. 
In  applications  for  payments  of  pensions,  the  affidavit  of 
two  credible  surgeons to  accompany  the  application. 


AN  ACT  in  addition  to  the  several  acts  for  the  establish- 
ment and  regulation  of  the  Treasury,   War,  and  Navy 
Departments.    Approved,  May  1,  1820.    3  Stat.  567. 
Sec.  5.     Changes  slightly  methods  of  expenditures,  etc. 


AN  ACT  to  further  regulate  the  medical  department  of  the 
army.    Approved,  May  8,  1820.    3  Stat.  570. 
Apothecaries    and    assistant    apothecaries-general    to    give 
bonds  with  security,  etc. 


AN  ACT  to  limit  the  term  of  office  of  certain  officers  therein 
named,  and  for  other  purposes.  Approved,  May  15,  1820. 
3  Stat.  582. 

Sec.  1.    Apothecary-general  and  assistants  to  be  appointed 
for  four  years,  removable  at  pleasure. 


13 

AN  ACT  to  reduce  and  fix  the  military  peace  establishment 
of  the  United  States.  Approved,  March  2,  1821.  3  Stat. 
615. 

Sec.  10.  That  the  medical  department  shall  consist  of  one 
surgeon-general,  eight  surgeons,  with  the  compensation  of 
regimental  surgeons,  and  forty-five  assistant  surgeons,  with 
the  compensation  of  post  surgeons. 

(Notes. — The  organization  of  the  medical  department  seems  to  be 
entirely  changed  by  this  act.  It  supplies  the  2  March,  1799,  chap.  2?, 
vol.  1,  p.  721,  with  respect  to  the  hospitals  and  hospital  surgeons,  and 
the  appointment  of  the  apothecary-general  and  his  assistants  of  the  30 
March,  1814,  chap.  37,  sec.  11,  and  the  15  May,  1820,  chap.  104,  sec.  1. 
See  chap.  55,  16  April,  1862,  and  chap.  127,  2  July,  1862.  Three  sur- 
geons and  five  assistants  added  by  the  4  July,  1836,  chap.  356,  sec.  4; 
and  see  for  additions  the  23  August,  1842,  chap.  186,  sec.  4;  the  28 
July,  1832,  chap.  150;  the  30  July,  1834,  chap.  133,  and  the  11  February, 
1847,  chap.  8,  sec.  8.  See  act  of  1856;  and  sec.  2  chap.  163,  21  June, 
1860;  and  see  chap.  51,  16  April,  1862,  and  chaps.  55  and  127,  as  in 
note  above.) 


AN  ACT   to   authorise   the  sale   of  unserviceable   ordnance, 
arms,   and   military   stores.     Approved,   March   2,   1825. 
4  Stat.  127. 
Sec.  1.     Includes  medical  supplies. 


AN  ACT  to  increase  the  number  of  surgeons  and  assistant 

surgeons  in   the  army  of  the  United  States.     Approved, 

June  28,  1822.    4  Stat.  550. 

That  the  President  be,  and  he  is  hereby,  authorized,  by  and 

with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Senate,  to  appoint  four 

additional  surgeons  and  ten  additional  surgeon's  mates  in  the 

army  of  the  United  States. 


AN  ACT  to  increase  and  regulate  the  pay  of  the  surgeons 
and  assistant  surgeons  of  the  army.  Approved,  June  30, 
1824.    4  Stat.  714. 

That,  from  and  after  the  passing  of  this  act,  no  person 
shall  receive  the  appointment  of  assistant  surgeon  in  the  army 
of  the  United  States,  unless  he  shall  have  been  examined  and 
approved  by  an  army  medical  board,  to  consist  of  not  less 
than  three  surgeons  or  assistant  surgeons,  who  shall  be 
designated  for  that  purpose  by  the  Secretary  of  War;  and  no 
person  shall  receive  the  appointment  of  surgeon  in  the  Army 
of  the  United  States,  unless  he  shall  have  served  at  least 
five  years  as  an  assistant  surgeon,  and  unless,  also,  he  shall 
have  been  examined  by  an  army  medical  board  constituted 
as  aforesaid. 


14 

Sec.  2.  That  the  surgeons  in  the  Army  of  the  United  States 
shall  be  entitled  to  receive  the  pay  and  emoluments  of  a 
major;  and  the  assistant  surgeons  who  shall  have  served 
five  years  shall  be  entitled  to  receive  the  pay  and  emoluments 
of  a  captain ;  and  those  who  shall  have  served  less  than  five 
years,  the  pay  and  emoluments  of  a  first  lieutenant;  and  that 
said  assistant  surgeons  shall  be  entitled  to  receive  the  same 
allowance  for  forage  as  they  are  at  present  entitled  to. 

Sec.  3.  That  every  surgeon  and  assistant  surgeon  who 
shall  have  served  faithfully  ten  years  in  these  grades,  respec- 
tively, shall  be  entitled  to  receive  an  increase  of  rations,  per 
day,  equal  to  the  number  of  rations  to  which  he  may  be 
entitled  under  this  act. 

AN  ACT  authorising  the  President  of  the  U.  S.  to  accept  the 
service   of  volunteers,  and   to  raise  an  additional  regi- 
ment of  dragoons  or  tnounted  riflemen.    Approved,  May 
23,  1836.     5  Stat.  32. 
Sec.  6.    That  there  shall  be  raised  and  organized  one  addi- 
tional regiment  of  dragoons  or  mounted  riflemen,  to  be  com- 
posed of   the   same  number  and  rank  of  the   officers,  non- 
commissioned officers,  etc.     (See  Act  of  March  3,  1815,  rifle- 
men have  one  surgeon  and  two  surgeon's  mates.) 


AN   ACT   authorising   the   appointment   of  additional  Pay- 
masters, and  for  other  purposes.    Approved,  July  4,  1836. 
5  Stat.  117. 
Sec.  4.    That  the  President  of  the  U.  S.  be,  and  he  hereby 
is,  authorized  and  empowered  to  appoint  three  additional  Sur- 
geons and  five  assistant  Surgeons,  to  be  attached  to  the  medi- 
cal staff  of  the  army. 

AN  ACT  to  increase  the  present  military  establishment  of 
the  United  States,  and  for  other  purposes.  Approved, 
July  5,  1838.    5  Stat.  256. 

Sec.  1.  There  shall  be  raised  and  organized  one  regfiment 
of  infantry,  to  be  composed  of  the  same  number  and  rank 
of  officers,  non-commissioned  officers,   etc. 

Sec.  24.  That  hereafter  the  officers  of  the  pay  and  medical 
departments  of  the  army  shall  receive  the  pay  and  emolu- 
ments of  officers  of  cavalry  of  the  same  grades  respectively 
according  to  which  they  are  now  paid  by  existing  laws. 

Sec.  ZZ.  That  the  President  be,  and  he  is  hereby  author- 
ized, by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Senate,  to 
appoint  seven  additional  surgeons. 


15 

AN    ACT   supplementary    to    an    act    entitled    "An    act    to 

increase  the  present  military  establishment  of  the  U.  S., 

and  for  other  purposes."    Approved,  July  7 ,  1838.    5  Stat. 

208. 

Sec.  9.    That  the  said  act  shall  be  so  construed  as  to  allow 

the  Surgeon-General  of  the  army  the  additional  rations  therein 

granted  to  officers  of  the  line  and  staff  for  every  five  years' 

service.  

AN  ACT  respecting  the  organisation  of  the  army,  and  for 
other  purposes.  Approved,  Aug.  22,  1842.  5  Stat.  512. 
Sec.  4.  That,  within  one  month  after  the  passage  of  this 
act,  the  offices  of  two  surgeons  and  ten  assistant  surgeons  of 
the  army  shall  be  abolished,  and  that  number  of  surgeons,  and 
assistant  surgeons  shall  be  discharged  by  the  President,  and 
they  shall  be  allowed  three  months'  pay,  in  addition  to  the 
pay  and  emoluments  to  which  they  may  be  entitled  at  the 
time  of  their  discharge.    

AN  ACT  making  appropriations  for  the  support  of  the  army, 
for  the  year  ending  on  June  30,  1846.    Approved,  March 
2,  1845.    5  Stat.  745. 
Sec.  1.     For  commutation  of  forage  for  officers'  horses. 

(Note. — See  (for  its  injurious  operation  on  assistant  surgeons)  Sur- 
geon-General's Report,  Sen.  Doc,  p.  146,  1853.  And  see  act  of  July. 
1862,  chap.  200,  for  forage  and  commutation;  2nd  sec.  modifies  the  part 
concerning  asst.   surg.) 

AN  ACT  supplemental  to  an  Act  entitled  "An  Act  providing 

for  the  Prosecution  of  the  existing  War  between  the  U.  S. 

and   the  Republic  of  Mexico,"  and  for  other  purposes. 

Approved,  June  18,  1846.     9  Stat.  17. 

Sec.   5.     That   when   volunteers   or  militia  are  called   into 

the  service  of  the  U.  S.  in  such  numbers  that  the  officers  of 

the and  medical  departments,  authorized  by  law, 

be  not  sufficient  to  provide  for   and  furnishing 

them  with  the  requisite  medical  attendance,  it  shall  be  lawful 
for  the  President  to  appoint  as  many  additional  officers  of 
said  departments  as  the  service  may  require,  not  exceeding 
one  surgeon,  and  one  assistant  surgeon,  for  each  regi- 
ment; and  the  said  surgeons  and  assistant  surgeons  to  per- 
form such  duties  as  the  President  shall  direct. 


AN  ACT  to  raise  for  a  limited  Time  an  additional  military 
Force,  and  for  other  Purposes.    Approved,  Feb.  11,  1847. 
9  Stat.  122. 
Sec.  6.    That  it  shall  and  may  be  lawful  for  the  President 
of  the  U.  S.  to  appoint  one  surgeon  and  two  assistant  sur- 
geons to  each  regiment  raised  under  this  act. 


16 

Sec.  8.  That  the  President  be,  and  he  is  hereby,  authorized, 
to  appoint  two  additional  surgeons  and  twelve  additional 
assistant  surgeons  in  the  regular  army  of  the  U.  S.,  subject 
to  the  provisions  of  an  act  entitled  "An  Act  to  increase 
and  regulate  the  Pay  of  the  Surgeons  and  Assistant  Sur- 
geons of  the  Army,"  approved  June  30.  1834;  and  that  the 
rank  of  the  officers  of  the  medical  department  of  the  army 
shall  be  arranged  on  the  same  basis  which  at  present  deter- 
mines the  amount  of  their  pay  and  emoluments;  Provided, 
That  the  medical  officers  shall  not  in  virtue  of  such  rank  be 
entitled  to  command  in  the  line  or  other  staff  departments 
of  the  army. 

AN  ACT  to  amend  an  Act  entitled  "An  Act  supplemental  to 
an  Act  entitled  'An  Act  providing  for  the  Prosecution  of 
the  existing  War  between  the  United  States  and  the 
Republic  of  Mexico,'"  and  for  other  Purposes.  Approved, 
July  19,  1848.    9  Stat.  247. 

Sec.  3.  That  so  much  of  said  act  passed  on  the  11th  of 
February,  1847,  as  requires  the  discharge  at  the  close  of  the 
war  with  Mexico  of  two  additional  surgeons  and  twelve  addi- 
tional assistant  surgeons,  be,  and  the  same  is  hereby,  repealed. 


AN  ACT  amending  the  Act  entitled  "An  Act  granting  Half 
Pay  to  Widows  or  Orphans,  where  their  Husbands  and 
Fathers  have  died  of  Wounds  received  in  the  Military 
Service  of  the  U.  S.,"  in  Case  of  deceased  Officers  and 
Soldiers  of  the  Militia  and  Volunteers,  passed  July  4,  1836. 
Approved,  July  21,  1848.    9  Stat.  249. 

(Note. — Or,  if  the  rolls  show  the  disease,  with  surgeon-general's  cer- 
tificate.    Res.   No.    14,  3  March,   1849.) 

Resolution  A.— Approved,  March  24,  1848.     9  Stat.  334. 

(In  all  applications  for  bounty  land  warrants,  the  honor- 
able discharge  of  the  applicant  predicated  on  a  surgeon's  cer- 
tificate to  be  deemed  sufficient  evidence.) 


AN  ACT  to  provide  for  an  Increase  of  the  Medical  Staff, and 
for  an  additional  Number  of  Chaplains  of  the  Army  of 
the  United  States.   Approved,  March  2,  1849.   9  Stat.  351. 

Sec.    1.     That    so    much    of    section    3d    of   an   act    

approved,  July  19,  1848,  as  prevents  the  filling  of  vacancies 
in  the  medical  department  of  the  army  until  further  author- 
ized by  law,  be,  and  the  same  is  hereby,  repealed. 


17 

Sec.  2.     That  the  medical  staff  of  the  army  be  increased 

by  the  addition  of  ten  assistant  surgeons,  to  be  appointed  as 

provided  by  existing  laws,  and  the  regulations  made  under 
them. 

(Note. — See  for  further  increase  sec.  2,  chap.  125,  16  Aug.  1856, 
and  chap.  55,  16  April,  1862,  and  chap.  127,  2  July,  1862.) 


AN  ACT  to  found  a  Military  Asylum  for  the  Relief  and  Sup- 
port of  invalid  and  disabled  Soldiers  of  the  Army  of  the 
United  States.     Approved,  March  3,  1851.     9  Stat.  595. 

Sec.  2.     That,   the  surgeon-general,   shall  be, 

ex  officio,  commissioners  of  the  same,  constituting  a  board  of 
commissioners. 

AN  ACT  providing  for  a  necessary  Increase  and  better  Organ- 
isation of  the  Medical  and  Hospital  Department  of  the 
Army.     Approved,  Aug.  16,  1856.     11   Stat.  51. 
Sec.  1.     That  there  be  added  to  the  medical  department  of 
the  army  four  surgeons  and  eight  assistant  surgeons,  to  be 
appointed  in  accordance  with  the  existing  laws. 

(Note. — See  chap.  83,  2  March,  1849,  and  sec.  2,  chap.  163,  21  June, 
1860;  for  further  increase,  see  chap.  55,  16  April,  1862,  and  chap  127, 
2   July,    1862.) 

Sec.  2.  That  the  Secretary  of  War  be,  and  he  is  hereby, 
authorized  to  appoint,  from  the  enlisted  men  of  the  army, 
or  cause  to  be  enlisted,  as  many  competent  hospital  stewards 
as  the  service  may  require,  not  to  exceed  one  for  each  mili- 
tary post. 

Sec.  3.  That  soldiers  acting  as  cooks  and  nurses  in  hos- 
pitals be,  and  are  hereby,  allowed  the  extra  pay  authorized 
to  soldiers  on  fatigue  duty. 


AN   ACT    making    Appropriations   for    the    Support   of   the 
Army   for   the   year   ending   June   30,   1860.      Approved, 
March  3,  1859.     11  Stat.  431. 
Sec.  7.     And  that  the  title  of  the  act  be,  and  the  same  is 
hereby,  changed  from  the  "Military  Asylum"  to  that  of  "Sol- 
diers' Home." 

AN  ACT  making  Appropriations  for  the  Payment  of  Invalid 
and  other  Pensions  of  the  U.  S.,  for  the  year  ending 
June  30.  1860.    Approved,  March  3,  1859.    11  Stat.  439. 

Sec.     The  affidavit  of  two  surgeons  or  physicians. 


18 

AN  ACT  making  Appropriations  for  the  Support  of  the  Army 
for  the  year  ending  June  20,  1861.  Approved,  June  21, 
1860.    12  Stat.  67. 

Sec.  2.  That  there  be  added  to  the  medical  corps  of  the 
army  four  surgeons  and  four  assistant  surgeons,  to  be 
appointed  in  accordance  with  the  existing  laws. 

(Note. — The  medical  corps  was  further  increased  by  sec.  2,  chap.  42, 
3  Aug.   1861,  and  by  chapters  55  and  127.) 


AN  ACT  to  authorise  the  Employment  of  Volunteers  to  aid 
in  enforcing  the  Laws  and  protecting  Public  Property. 
Approved,  July  22,  1861.    12  Stat.  268. 

Sec.  2.     Each  regiment  of  infantry  shall  have    one 

surgeon,  and  one  assistant  surgeon,  one  hospital  steward. 

Sec.  3.  That  these  forces,  when  accepted  as  herein  author- 
ized, shall  be  organized  into  divisions  of  three  or  more 
brigades  each.  Each  brigade  shall  be  composed  of  four  or 
more  regiments,  and  shall  have    one  surgeon. 

(Note. — Two   assistant   surgeons,   by   sec.   3,   chap.    127,   2   July,    1862, 

post.; 

Sec.  4.  The  governors  of  the  States  furnishing  volunteers 
under  this  act  shall  commission  the  field,  staff,  and  company 
officers  requisite  for  the  said  volunteers;  but  in  cases  where 
the  State  authorities  refuse  or  omit  to  furnish  volunteers  at 
the  call  or  on  the  proclamation  of  the  President,  and  volun- 
teers from  such  States  offer  their  services  under  such  call 
or  proclamation,  the  President  shall  have  power  to  accept 
such  services,  and  to  commission  the  proper  field,  staff,  and 
company  officers. 

AN  ACT  to  increase  the  present  Military  Establishment  of 

the  United  States.    Approved,  July  29,  1861.    12  Stat.  279. 

Sec.  2.    To  each  battalion  of  infantry,  one  hospital  steward; 

to   each  battalion   of   cavalry,   one   hospital   steward;   to   the 

regiment  artillery,  one  hospital  steward. 


AN  ACT  providing  for  the  better  Organisation  of  the  Mili- 
tary Establishment.   Approved,  Aug.  2,  1861.  12  Stat.  287. 

Sec.  5.  That  there  be  added  to  the  medical  staff  of  the 
army  a  corps  of  medical  cadets.  Their  number  shall  be  regu- 
lated by  the  exigencies  of  service,  at  no  time  to  exceed  fifty. 
They  shall  enlist  for  one  year. 

Sec.  6.  That  in  general  or  permanent  hospitals  female 
nurses  may  be  substituted  for  soldiers  when,  in  the  opinion 


19 

of  the  surgeon-general  or  medical  officer  in  charge,  it  is 
expedient  to  do  so;  the  number  of  female  nurses  to  be  indi- 
cated by  the  surgeon-general  or  surgeon  in  charge  of  the 
hospital. 

Sec.  14.  That  there  may  be  allowed  in  hospitals,  to  be 
provided  under  such  rules  as  the  surgeon-general  of  the  army, 
with  the  approval  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  may  prescribe, 
such  quantities  of  fresh  or  preserved  fruits,  milk  or  butter, 
and  of  eggs,  as  may  be  necessary  for  the  proper  diet  of 
the  sick. 

AN  ACT  to  reorganise  and  increase  the  Efficiency  of  the 
Medical  Department  of  the  Army.  Approved,  April  16, 
1862.    12  Stat.  378. 

That  there  shall  be  added  to  the  present  medical  corps 
of  the  army,  ten  surgeons  and  ten  assistant  surgeons,  to 
be  promoted  and  appointed  under  existing  laws ;  twenty  medi- 
cal cadets,  and  as  many  hospital  stewards  as  the  surgeon- 
general  may  consider  necessary  for  the  public  service ;  and 
that  their  pay  and  that  of  all  hospital  stewards  in  the  volun- 
teer as  well  as  the  regular  service  shall  be  $30  per  month, 
to  be  computed  from  the  passage  of  this  act.  And  all  medi- 
cal cadets  in  the  service  shall,  in  addition  to  their  pay,  receive 
one  ration  per  day,  either  in  kind  or  commutation. 

Sec.  2.  That  the  surgeon-general  to  be  appointed  under 
this  act  shall  have  the  rank,  pay,  and  emoluments  of  a 
brigadier-general.  There  shall  be  one  assistant  surgeon- 
general  and  one  medical  inspector-general  of  hospitals,  each 
with  the  rank,  pay,  and  emoluments  of  a  colonel  of  cavalry, 
and  the  medical  inspector-general  shall  have,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  surgeon-general,  the  supervision  of  all  that  relates 
to  the  sanitary  condition  of  the  army,  whether  in  transports, 
quarters,  or  camps,  and  of  the  hygiene,  police,  discipline,  and 
efficiency  of  field  and  general  hospitals,  under  such  regulations 
as  may  hereafter  be  established. 

Sec.  3.  That  there  shall  be  eight  medical  inspectors  with 
the  rank,  pay,  and  emoluments  each  of  a  lieutenant-colonel 
of  cavalry,  and  who  shall  be  charged  with  the  duty  of  inspect- 
ing the  sanitary  condition  of  transports,  quarters,  and  camps, 
of  field  and  general  hospitals,  and  who  shall  report  to  the 
medical  inspector-general,  under  such  regulations  as  may  be 
hereafter  established,  all  circumstances  relating  to  the  sani- 
tary condition  and  wants  of  troops  and  of  hospitals,  and  to 
the  skill,  efficiency,  and  good  conduct  of  the  officers  and 
attendants  connected  with  the  medical  department. 

(Note. — Eight  more  by  sec.  1,  chap.  5,  27  Dec.  1862,  sec.  2,  which 
imposes   additional   duties  upon   inspectors.) 


20 

Sec.  4.  That  the  surgeon-general,  the  assistant  surgeon- 
general,  medical  inspector-general,  and  medical  inspectors, 
shall  immediately  after  the  passage  of  this  act  be  appointed 
by  the  President,  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the 
Senate,  by  selection  from  the  medical  corps  of  the  army,  or 
from  the  surgeons  in  the  volunteer  service,  without  regard 
to  their  rank  when  so  selected,  but  with  sole  regard  to 
qualifications. 

Sec.  S.  That  the  medical  purveyors  shall  be  charged,  under 
the  direction  of  the  surgeon-general,  with  the  selection  and 
purchase  of  all  medical  supplies,  including  new  standard 
preparations,  and  of  all  books,  instruments,  hospital  stores, 
furniture,  and  other  articles  required  for  the  sick  and  wounded 
of  the  army.  In  all  cases  of  emergency  they  may  provide 
such  additional  accommodations  for  the  sick  and  wounded 
of  the  army  and  may  transport  such  medical  supplies  as  cir- 
cumstances may  render  necessary,  under  such  regulations  as 
may  hereafter  be  established,  and  shall  make  prompt  and 
immediate  issues  on  all  special  requisitions  made  on  them 
under  such  circumstances  by  medical  officers ;  and  the  special 
requisitions  shall  consist  simply  of  a  list  of  the  articles 
required,  and  signed  by  the  medical  officers  requiring  them, 
and  the  qualities  required. 

Sec.  6.  That  whenever  the  inspector-general,  or  any  one  of 
the  medical  inspectors,  shall  report  an  officer  of  the  medical 
corps  as  disqualified,  by  age  or  otherwise,  for  promotion 
to  a  higher  grade,  or  unfitted  for  the  performance  of  his 
professional  duties,  he  shall  be  reported  by  the  surgeon- 
general,  for  examination,  to  a  medical  board,  as  provided  by 
the  17th  section  of  the  act  approved  Aug.  3,  1861. 

(Note. — Chap.  42.  Medical  storekeepers  also  authorized  by  chap.  80, 
20  May,  1862,  and  required  to  give  bond  by  chap.  201,  17  July,  1862. 
Medical  purveyors  required  to  give  bond  by  same  selection.) 

Sec.  7.     That  the  provisions  of  this  act  shall  continue  and 

be  in  force  during  the  existence  of  the  present  rebellion,  and 

no    longer :      Provided,    however.    That,    when    this    act    shall 

expire,  all  officers  who  shall  have  been  promoted   from  the 

medical   staff  of  the   army  under  this  act   shall   retain  their 

respective   rank   in   the   army,    with   such   promotion   as   they 

would  have  been  entitled  to. 


AN  ACT   to   facilitate   the   Discharge   of  enlisted   Men    for 
physical  Disability.   Approved,  May  14,  1862.  12  Stat.  385. 
Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives of  the  United  States  of  America  in  Congress  assembled. 
That  the  medical  inspector-general,  or  any  medical  inspector 


21 

is  hereby  authorized  and  empowered  to  discharge  from  the 
service  of  the  United  States  any  soldier  or  enlisted  man,  with 
the  consent  of  such  soldier  or  enlisted  man,  in  the  permanent 
hospitals,  laboring  under  any  physical  disability  which  makes 
it  disadvantageous  to  the  service  that  he  be  retained  therein, 
and  the  certificate  in  writing  of  such  inspector-general  or 
medical  inspector,  setting  forth  the  existence  and  nature  of 
such  physical  disability  shall  be  sufficient  evidence  of  such 
discharge :  Provided,  however,  That  every  such  certificate 
shall  appear  on  its  face  to  have  been  founded  on  personal 
inspection  of  the  soldier  so  discharged,  and  shall  specifically 
describe  the  nature  and  origin  of  such  disability;  and  such 
discharge  shall  be  without  prejudice  to  the  right  of  such 
soldier  or  enlisted  man  to  the  pay  due  him  at  the  date  thereof, 
and  report  the  same  to  the  adjutant-general  and  the  surgeon- 
general.  

AN  ACT  to  authorize  the  Appointment  of  Medical  Storekeep- 
ers and  Chaplains  of  Hospitals.   Approved,  May  20,  1862. 
12  Stat.  403. 
Sec.  1.    That  the  Secretary  of  War  be  authorized  to  add  to 
the   medical   department   of    the    army    medical    storekeepers, 
not  exceeding  six  in  number. 

Sec.  2.     That  the  President  of  the  U.  S.  is  hereby  author- 
ized to  appoint  a  chaplain  for  each  permanent  hospital. 


AN  ACT  to  provide  for  additional  Medical  Officers  of  the 
Volunteer  Service.    Approved,  July  2,  1862.    12  Stat.  502. 

Sec.   1.     That  there   shall  be  appointed  by  the   President, 

forty   surgeons   and    120  assistant   surgeons   of 

volunteers    Provided,    and  that  vacancies 

in  the  grade  of  surgeon  shall  be  filled  by  selection  from  the 
grade  of  assistant  surgeon  on  the  ground  of  merit  only. 

Sec.  2.     Brigadier-surgeon  become  surgeon  of  volunteers. 

Sec.  3.  Two  assistant  surgeons  to  each  regiment  in  place 
of  one.  

AN  ACT  to  grant  pensions.  Rate  of  pensions  in  military 
service.  Approved,  July  14,  1862.  12  Stat.  566-567. 
The  pension  for  a  total  disability  of  officers,  non-commis- 
sioned officers,  musicians,  and  privates  employed  in  the  mili- 
tary service  of  the  United  States,  whether  regulars,  volunteers, 
or  militia,  and  in  the  marine  corps,  shall  be  as  follows,  viz. : 
Lieutenant-colonel,  and  all  officers  of  a  higher  rank,  $30  per 
month;  major,  $25  per  month;  captain,  $20  per  month;  first 
lieutenant,  $17  per  month;  second  lieutenant,  $15  per  month. 
Was  a  pension  allowed  to  surgeons? 


22 

AN  ACT  to  define  the  Pay  and  Emoluments  of  certain  Offi- 
cers of  the  Army,  and  for  other  Purposes.     Approved, 
July  17,  1862.    12  Stat.  594-595. 
Chap.  CC.    Commander  of  post  to  inquire  into  fitness,  etc., 

of  chaplain   and  it  is  hereby  made  the  duty  of 

each  officer  commanding  a  district  or  post  containing  hospi- 
tals, or  a  brigade  of  troops,  within  thirty  days  after  the 
reception  of  the  order  promulgating  this  act,  to  inquire  into 
the  fitness,  efficiency,  and  qualifications  of  the  chaplains  of 
hospitals  or  regiments,  and  to  muster  out  of  service  such 
chaplains  as  were  not  appointed  in  conformity  with  the 
requirements  of  this  act. 

Sec.  9.  And  it  is  hereby  made  the  duty  of  each  officer  com- 
manding a  district  or  post  containing  hospitals,  or  a  brigade 
of  troops,  within  thirty  days  after  the  reception  of  the  order 
promulgating  this  act,  to  inquire  into  the  fitness,  efficiency 
and  qualifications  of  the  chaplains  of  hospitals  or  regiments. 


AN  ACT  to  amend  the  Act  calling  forth  the  Militia  to  execute 
the  Laws  of  the  Union,  suppress  Insurrection,  and  repel 
Invasion,  approved  Feb.  28, 1795,  and  the  Acts  amendatory 
thereof,  and  for  other  Purposes.  Approved,  July  17, 
1862.  12  Stat.  597. 
Sec.  11.     Each  regiment  of  cavalry  shall  have   one 

surgeon,  one  assistant  surgeon. 

(Note. — See  sec.  3,  chap.   127,  2  July,  1862;  another  assistant  surgeon 
to  each   regiment  allowed  by  chap.   7,   6  Jan.,    1863.) 


RESOLUTION  authorising  the  Secretary  of  War  to  furnish 
extra  Clothing  to  Sick,  Wounded,  and  other  Soldiers. 
Approved,  July  12,  1862.    12  Stat.  624. 

"That  the  Secretary  of  War  be,  and  he  is  hereby,  authorized 
to  furnish  extra  clothing  to  all  sick,  wounded,  and  other  sol- 
diers who  may  have  lost  the  same  by  the  casualties  of  war." 


AN  ACT  to  facilitate  the  Discharge  of  disabled  Soldiers  from 

the  Army,  and  the  Inspection  of  convalescent  Camps  and 

Hospitals.     Approved,  Dec.  27.  1862.     12  Stat.  633. 

That  there  shall  be  added  to  the  present  medical  corps  of 

the   army   eight   medical   inspectors,   who   shall,   immediately 

after  the  passage  of  this  act,  be  appointed  by  the  President, 

by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Senate,  without 

regard  to  their  rank  when  so  selected,  but  with  sole  regard 

to   qualifications,   and    who    shall   have   the   rank,    pay,    and 

emoluments  now  authorized  by  law  to  officers  of  that  grade. 

(Note. — This  makes   16,  there  being  8  before,  by  sec.  3  of  chap.   55, 
16  April,  1862,  ante,  p.  502.) 


23 

Sec.  2.  That  the  officers  of  the  medical  inspector's  depart- 
ment shall  be  charged,  in  addition  to  the  duties  now  assigned 
to  them  by  existing  laws,  with  the  duty  of  making  regular 
and  frequent  inspections  of  all  military  general  hospitals  and 
convalescent  camps,  and  shall,  on  each  such  inspection,  desig- 
nate to  the  surgeon  in  charge  of  such  hospitals  or  camps, 
all  soldiers  who  may  be,  in  their  opinion,  fit  subjects  for  dis- 
charge from  the  service,  on  surgeon's  certificate  of  disability, 
or  sufficiently  recovered  to  be  returned  to  their  regiments  for 
duty,  and  shall  see  that  such  soldiers  are  discharged  or  so 
returned.  And  the  medical  inspecting  officers  are  hereby 
empowered,  under  such  regulations  as  may  be  hereafter  estab- 
lished, to  direct  the  return  to  duty,  or  the  discharge  from 
service,  as  the  case  may  be,  of  all  soldiers  designated  by  them. 


AN  ACT  to  improve  the  Organization  of  the  Cavalry  Forces. 
Approved,  Jan.  6,  1863.     12  Stat.  634. 

That  hereafter  each  regiment  of  cavalry  organized  in  the 
U.  S.  service  may  have  two  assistant  surgeons. 

(Note. — Had  one  before.  See  sec.  11,  chap.  201,  17  July,  1862,  ante, 
p.    534.) 


AN  ACT  for  enrolling  and  calling  out  the  national  Forces, and 
for  other  Purposes.  Approved, March  3,1863.  12  Stat731. 

Sec.  14.  That  all  drafted  persons  shall  be  carefully 
inspected  by  the  surgeon  of  the  board,  who  shall  truly  report 
to  the  board  the  physical  condition  of  each  one. 

Sec.  15.  That  any  surgeon  charged  with  the  duty  of  such 
inspection   who   shall   receive   from   any  person   whomsoever 

any  money   or   other   valuable   thing    for   making  an 

imperfect  inspection  or  a  false  or  incorrect  report shall 

be  tried  by  court-martial 


AN  ACT  to  promote  the  Efficiency  of  the  Corps  of  Engineers 
and  of  the  Ordnance  Department,  and  for  other  Purposes. 
Approved,  March  3,  1863.    12  Stat.  743. 
Sec.  8.     That  the  officers  of  the  medical  department  shall 
unite    with   the    line   officers   of   the  army   under   such    rules 
and  regulations  as  shall  be  prescribed  by  the   Secretary  of 
War,  in  supervising  the  cooking  within  the  same  as  an  impor- 
tant sanitary  measure,  and  that  said  medical  department  shall 
promulgate  to   its  officers   such   regulations   and   instructions 
as  may  tend  to  insure  the  proper  preparation  of  the  ration  of 
the  soldier. 


24 

AN  ACT  for  the  Relief  of  certain  Persons  who  have  per- 
formed the  Duties  of  Assistant  Surgeons  in  Regiments  of 
Cavalry.    Approved,  March  3,  1863.    12  Stat.  758. 
That  physicians  and  surgeons  who  have,  since  the  second 
day  of  July  last,  been  duly  appointed  and  commissioned  as 
second  assistant  surgeons  in  volunteer  regiments  of  cavalry, 
and  as  such  have  been  duly  mustered  into  the  military  ser- 
vice of  the  United  States,  and  actually  performed  the  duties 
appertaining   to    that    office,    shall    be    paid    therefor    in    like 
manner   and   on    like   proof    as    other   assistant   surgeons    of 
cavalry:    Provided,   That  not  more   than   two   assistant   sur- 
geons to  each  regiment  shall  be  allowed  and  paid  for  services 
performed  at  one  and  the  same  time. 


AN  ACT  to  establish  a  uniform  System  of  Ambulances  in 
the  Armies  of  the  United  States.  Approved,  March  11, 
1864.     13  Stat.  20-22. 

Sec.    1.     That   the   medical   director    of   each   army 

corps  shall    have  the  direction  and  supervision  of  all 

ambulances,  medicine  and  of  all  officers  and  men  who 

may  be  detailed  or  employed  to  assist  him  in  the  management 
thereof 

Sec.  2.  That  the  commanding  officer  of  each  army  corps 
shall  detail  officers  and  enlisted  men  for  service  in  the  ambu- 
lance corps  of  such  army  corps,  upon  certain  basis :  Provided, 
That  the  officers,  and  enlisted  men  so  detailed,  shall  be 
examined  by  a  board  of  medical  officers  of  such  armj'  corps 
as  to  their  fitness  for  such  duty. 

Sec.  3.  That  there  shall  be  allowed  and  furnished  to  each 
army  corps  two-horse  ambulances,  upon  the  following  basis, 
to  wit:  Three  to  each  regiment  of  infantry  of  500  men  or 
more.  Two  to  each  regiment  of  infantry  of  200  to  500  men. 
One  to  each  regiment  of  infantry  of  less  than  200.  Two  to 
each  regiment  of  cavalry  of  500  men  or  more.  One  to  each 
regiment  of  cavalry  of  less  than  500  men.  One  to  each  battery 
of  artillery.  Two  to  the  headquarters  of  each  army  corps, 
and  to  each  division  train  of  ambulances  two  army  wagons ; 
and  ambulances  shall  be  allowed  and  furnished  to  division 
brigades  and  commands  not  attached  to  any  army  corps,  upon 
the  same  basis. 

Sec.  4.  That  horse-  and  mule-litters  may  be  adopted  or 
authorized  by  the  Secretary  of  War,  in  lieu  of  ambulances, 
when  judged  necessary 

Sec.  5.  That  the  captain  shall  be  the  commander  of  all 
the   ambulances,   medicine,   and    other   wagons   in   the   corps. 


25 

He  shall  pay  special  attention  to  the  condition  of  the 

ambulances,  wagons,  horses  ;  that  the  officers  and  men 

of  the  ambulance  corps  are  properly  instructed  in  their  duties 

It  shall  be  his  duty  to  institute  a  drill  in  his  corps. 

Duty   of   the   medical   director    previous   to   a 

march,  and  previous  to  and  in  time  of  action,  to  issue 

the  proper  orders  to  the  captain 

Sec.  6.     Authority  and  duties  of  first  lieutenant. 

Sec.  7.     Authority  and  duties  of  second  lieutenant. 

Sec.  8.  Ambulances  shall  be  used  only  for  the  transporta- 
tion of  the  sick  and  wounded,  and,  in  urgent  cases  only,  for 
medical  supplies ;    

Sec.  9.  That  no  person  except  the  proper  medical  officers, 
or  the  officers,  non-commissioned  officers,  and  privates  of  the 
ambulance  corps  shall  be  permitted  to  take,  or  accom- 
pany sick  or  wounded  men  to  the  rear,  either  on  the  march 
or  on  the  field  of  battle. 

Sec.  10.  That  the  officers,  non-commissioned  officers,  and 
privates  of  the  ambulance  corps  shall  be  designated  by  such 
uniform,  or  in  such  manner  as  the  Secretary  of  War  shall 
deem  proper. 

Sec.  11.  Names  of  officers  and  men  detailed  to  be  sent  to 
office  of  adjutant-general. 


AN  ACT  to  increase  the  Efficiency  of  the  Medical  Corps  of 
the  Army.  Approved,  Feb.  25,  1865.  13  Stat.  427-8. 
That  the  medical  director  of  an  army  in  the  field  consist- 
ing of  two  or  more  army  corps,  and  the  medical  director  of 
a  military  department  in  which  there  are  United  States  gen- 
eral hospitals  containing  4,000  beds  or  upwards,  shall  have 
the  rank,  pay,  and  emoluments  of  a  colonel  of  cavalry;  and 
the  medical  director  of  an  army  corps  in  the  field,  or  of  a 
department  in  which  there  are  U.  S.  general  hospitals  con- 
taining less  than  4,000  beds,  shall  have  the  rank,  pay,  and 
emoluments  of  a  lieutenant-colonel  of  cavalry.  But  this 
increased  rank  and  pay  shall  only  continue  to  medical  officers 
while  discharging  such  special  duties ;  and  the  assignments 
from  time  to  time  to  such  duty  shall  be  at  least  two  thirds 
of  them  made  from  among  the  surgeons  and  assistant  sur- 
geons of  volunteers.  

AN   ACT   making    Appropriations   for   the   Support    of   the 

Army  for  the  Year  ending  June  20,  1869,  and  for  other 

purposes.     Approved,  June  8,  1868.     15  Stat.  66. 

Sec.  2.    Appropriation  for  medical,  etc.,  history  of  rebellion, 

how  to  be  applied.     And  be  it  further  enacted,  That  of  the 

appropriation  of  $60,000  for  publishing  the  medical  and  sur- 


26 

gical  history  of  the  rebellion  and  the  medical  statistics  of  the 
provost  marshal  general's  office,  made  in  an  act  approved 
July  28,  1866,  $30,000  shall  be  devoted  to  the  preparation  and 
publication  of  5,000  copies  of  the  medical  statistics  of  the 
provost  marshal  general's  bureau,  and  that  the  work  shall 
be  compiled  and  completed  by  assistant  medical  purveyor, 
J.  H.  Baxter,  under  the  immediate  direction  of  the  Secretary 
of  War,  and   without  the  interference  of  any  other  officer. 


RESOLUTION  20.— A  Resolution  for  printing  the  Medical 

and  Surgical  History  of  the  Rebellion.    Approved,  March 

3,  1869.     15  Stat.  347. 

Resolved,  By  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of 

the  United  States  of  America  in  Congress  assembled,  That 

there   be    printed    at   the   Government    Printing   Office,    5,000 

copies  of  the  first  part  of  the  Medical  and  Surgical  History 

of  the  Rebellion,  compiled  by  the  Surgeon-General  under  the 

direction  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  and  5,000  copies  of  the 

Medical  Statistics  of  the  Provost  Marshal's  Bureau,  compiled 

and  to  be  completed  by  Surgeon  J.  H.  Baxter,  as  authorized 

by  an  act  of   Congress,  approved  July  28,   1866,   which  also 

provides  that  the  editions  of  both  publications  thus  ordered 

shall  be  disposed  of  as  Congress  may  hereafter  direct. 


ACT  of  March  3, 1869.  Approved,  March  3, 1869.  15  Stat.  388. 
Sec.  6.     And   be  it   further  enacted,  That  until  otherwise 
directed  by  law,  there  shall  be  no  new  appointments  and  no 
promotions  in  the  medical  department. 


AN  ACT  to  provide  for  the  Designation  of  a  chief  medical 
Purveyor.  Approved,  March  12,  1872.  17  Stat.  40. 
Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives 
of  the  United  States  of  America  in  Congress  assembled, 
That  the  President  of  the  United  States  be,  and  hereby  is, 
authorized  to  appoint  by  selection  from  the  present  assistant 
medical  purveyors,  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the 
Senate,  a  chief  medical  purveyor  of  the  army,  to  fill  the 
vacancy  now  existing.  Nothing  herein  shall  be  construed 
to  increase  the  pay  of  the  officers  appointed  to  fill  said  vacancy. 


AN  ACT  for  the  completion  and  publication  of  the  Medical 
and  Surgical  History  of  the  Rebellion.  Approved,  June  8, 
1872.    17  Stat.  338. 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives 
of   the    United    States   of   America   in    Congress   assembled, 


27 

That  the  Secretary  of  War  be,  and  he  is  hereby,  directed  to 
have  completed  the  Medical  and  Surgical  History  of  the  War, 
by  the  preparation  in  the  office  of  the  surgeon-general  of  two 
volumes  of  1,800  pages,  in  addition  to  the  first  volume  already 
compiled  and  printed  under  authority  of  Congress,  and  he  is 
hereby  authorized  to  have  executed  as  he  may  deem  advis- 
able, the  necessary  engraving  and  lithographing  therefor,  at 
an  expense  not  to  exceed  $60,000,  which  shall  be  paid  out 
of  any  money  in  the  treasury  not  otherwise  appropriated. 

Sec.  2.  That  5,000  copies  each  of  the  second  and  third 
volumes  be  printed  and  bound  by  the  congressional  printer, 
to  be  distributed  with  the  first  volume  already  printed,  as 
may  be  hereafter  directed  by  Congress. 


AN  ACT  making  appropriations  for  the  support  of  the  Army 
for  the  year  ending  June  30,  1874.  Approved,  March  3, 
1873.    17  Stat.  546. 

and  the  chief  medical  purveyor  of  the  army  shall 

have,  under  the  direction  of  the  surgeon-general,  supervision 
of  the  purchase  and  distribution  of  all  hospital  and  medical 
supplies. 

JOINED  RESOLUTION  authorizing  the  Secretary  of  War 
to  detail  a  medical  officer  of  the  Arm-y  to  inquire  into, 
and    report     upon,     the     causes     of     epidemic     cholera. 
Approved,  March  25,  1874.    18  Stat.  286. 
That  the  Secretary  of  War  be,  and  he  is  hereby,  authorized 
and  directed  to  detail  one  medical  officer  of  the  Army,  who 
shall,   during   the   present   year,   under   the   direction   of   the 
Surgeon-General  of  the  Army,  in  connection  with  the  super- 
vising surgeon  of  marine  hospitals   visit  the  towns  at 

which  cholera  prevailed  during  1873    confer  with  the 

health  authorities  and  resident  physicians  of  such  towns 

and  shall  make  a  detailed  report  of  the  information  collected 
to  the  President,  to  be  submitted  to  Congress. 


AN  ACT  reorganizing  the  several  staff  corps  of  the  Army. 
Approved,  June  23,  1874.  18  Stat.  244-5. 
Sec.  4.  That  the  Medical  Department  of  the  Army  shall 
hereafter  consist  of  one  Surgeon-General,  with  the  rank,  pay 
and  emoluments  of  a  brigadier-general ;  one  assistant  surgeon- 
general,  and  one  chief  medical  purveyor,  each  with  the  rank, 
pay,  and  emoluments  of  a  colonel;  and  two  assistant  medi- 
cal purveyors,  with  the  rank,  pay  and  emoluments  of  lieuten- 


28 

ant-colonels,  who  shall  give  the  same  bonds  which  are  or 
may  be  required  of  assistant  paymasters-general  of  like  grade, 
and  shall,  when  not  acting  as  purveyors,  be  assignable  to  duty 
as  surgeons  by  the  President ;  fifty  surgeons,  with  the  rank, 
pay,  and  emoluments  of  majors;  one  hundred  and  fifty  assist- 
ant surgeons,  with  the  rank,  pay,  and  emoluments  of  lieu- 
tenants of  cavalry  for  the  first  five  years'  service,  and  with 
the  rank,  pay  and  emoluments  of  captains  of  cavalry  after 
five  years'  service ;  and  four  medical  store-keepers,  with  the 
same  compensation  as  is  now  provided  by  law ;  and  all  the 
original  vacancies  in  the  grade  of  assistant  surgeon  shall  be 
filled  by  selection  by  competitive  examination ;  and  the  Sec- 
retary of  War  is  hereby  authorized  to  appoint,  from  the 
enlisted  men  of  the  Army,  or  cause  to  be  enlisted,  as  many 
hospital  stewards  as  the  service  may  require,  to  be  perma- 
nently attached  to  the  Medical  Department,  under  such 
regulations  as  the  Secretary  of  War  may  prescribe.  And 
the  number  of  contract  surgeons  shall  be  limited  to  seventy- 
five  on  or  before  the  first  day  of  January  in  the  year  1875 ; 
and  thereafter  no  more  than  that  number  shall  be  employed. 

Sec.  7.  That  as  vacancies  shall  occur  in  any  of  the  grades 
of  the  Medical  Department,  no  appointments  shall  be  made 
to  fill  the  same  until  the  numbers  in  such  grade  shall  be 
reduced  to  the  numbers  which  are  fixed  for  permanent 
appointments  by  the  provisions  of  this  act. 

Sec.  8.  That  so  much  of  section  6  of  an  act  entitled  "An 
act  making  appropriations  for  the  support  of  the  Army  for 
the   year    ending   June    30,    1870,    and    for    other    purposes," 

approved    Mar.    3,    1869,    as    applies    to    the    Medical 

Department  of  the  Army  be,  and  the  same  is  hereby,  repealed : 
Provided,  That  this  section  repealing  said  section  shall  not 
apply  to  any  of  the  grades  of  the  Medical  Department  which 
are  omitted  or  abolished  by  the  provisions  of  this  act. 


AN  ACT  suspending  so  much  of  the  act  entitled  "An  act 
reorganising  the  several  staff-corps  of  the  Army," 
approved,  June  23,  1874,  as  applies  to  contract  surgeons, 
he,  and  hereby  is,  suspended  until  otherwise  proznded  by 
law.    Approved,  Jan.  1,  1875.    18  Stat.  294. 


AN  ACT  of  March  3,  1875,  That  the  Secretary  of  War  he, 
and  he  is  hereby,  authorised  to  detail  a  medical  officer  of 
the  Army  to  investigate  and  report  upon  the  reported 
existence  and  spread  of  cholera  in  Mexico  and  near  the 
frontier  of  Texas.  Approved,  March  3,  1875.  18  Stat.  399. 


29 

AN  ACT  to  reduce  the  number  and  increase  the  efficiency 
of  the  Medical  Corps  of  the  U.  S.  Army.  Approved, 
June  26,  1876.    19  Stat.  61. 

That  the  number  of  assistant  surgeons  now  allowed  by  law 
shall  be  reduced  to  125 ;  that  the  office  of  medical  storekeeper 
is  hereby  abolished ;  that  from  and  after  the  passage  of  this 
act,  in  addition  to  the  grades  now  allowed  by  law,  there  shall 
be  four  surgeons  with  the  rank,  pay,  and  emoluments  of 
colonels ;  eight  surgeons  with  the  rank,  pay  and  emoluments 
of  lieutenant-colonels,  to  be  promoted  by  seniority  {sic}  from 
the  medical  officers  of  the  Army;  that  this  act  shall  not  be 
construed  to  deprive  any  medical  officer  or  storekeeper  now  in 
office  of  his  commission  in  the  U.  S.  Army. 


AN  ACT  appropriating  $10,000  for  the  Army  Medical  Museum, 
and  for  medical  and  other  works  for  the  Library  of  the 
Surgeon-General's  Office.  Approved,  June  18,  1878.  20 
Stat.  148. 

And  there  is  hereby  reappropriated  the  unexpended  bal- 
ance for  completing  the  Medical  and  Surgical  History  of  the 
War.  the  sum  of  $12,883.85. 

And  the  unexpended  balance  of  the  appropriation  made  by 
the  Act  of  March  3,  1877,  for  preparation  of  illustrations  to 
complete  the  second  edition  of  the  Medical  and  Surgical  His- 
tory of  the  War,  Part  3,  amounting  to  $17,414.98,  is  hereby 
reappropriated  and  made  available  for  the  preparation  of 
illustrations  for  any  part  of  the  work. 


AN  ACT  authorising  the  appointment  of  Dr.  Junius  L.  Powell 
an  assistant  surgeon  in  the  United  States  Army.  Approved, 
Jan.  29,  1879.     20  Stat.  276. 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives 
of  the  United  States  of  America  in  Congress  assembled,  That 
the  President  of  the  United  States  is  hereby  authorized  to 
appoint,  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Senate, 
Dr.  Junius  L.  Powell  an  assistant  surgeon  in  the  United  States 
Army,  with  the  rank  of  first  lieutenant,  to  date  from  June  6, 
1878.  And  the  said  Dr.  Junius  L.  Powell  is  hereby  relieved 
from  the  operation  of  the  28th  section  of  the  act  entitled  "An 
Act  to  increase  and  fix  the  military  peace  establishment  of 
the  United  States,"  approved,  July  28,  1866. 


30 

AN  ACT  to  prevent  the  introduction  of  infectious  or  con- 
tagious diseases  into  the  United  States,  and  to  establish 
a  National  Board  of  Health.  Approved,  March  3  1879 
20  Stat.  484. 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives 
of  the  United  States  of  America  in  Congress  assembled, 
That  there  shall  be  established  a  National  Board  of  Health 
to  consist  of  seven  members,  to  be  appointed  by  the  Presi- 
dent, by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Senate,  not 
more  than  one  of  vk^hom  shall  be  appointed  from  any  one 
State,  vv^hose  compensation,  during  the  time  when  actually 
engaged  in  the  performance  of  their  duties,  under  this  act. 
shall  be  $10  per  diem  each  and  reasonable  expenses,  and 
of  one  medical  officer  of  the  Army. 

Sec.  2.  The  duties  of  the  National  Board  of  Health  shall 
be  to  obtain  information  on  all  matters  affecting  the  public 
health,  to  advise  the  several  departments  of  the  government, 
the  executives  of  the  several  States,  and  the  Commissioners 
of  the  District  of  Columbia,  on  all  questions  submitted  by 
them,  or  whenever  in  the  opinion  of  the  board  such  advice 
may  tend  to  the  preservation  and  improvement  of  the  public 
health.  

AN  ACT  to  prevent  the  introduction  of  contagious  or  infec- 
tious diseases  into  the  United  States.  Approved,  June  2, 
1879.    21  Stat.  5. 

That  upon   the  request  of  the  National  Board  of 

Health  the  President  is  authorized  to  detail  a  medical  officer 
to  serve  in  the  office  of  the  consul  at  any  foreign  port  for  the 
purpose  of  making  the  inspections  and  giving  the  certificates 
hereinbefore  mentioned :  Provided,  That  the  number  of  officers 
so  detailed  shall  not  exceed  at  any  one  time  six. 


AN  ACT  to  prevent  the  introduction  of  contagious  or  infec- 
tious diseases  into  the  United  States.    Approved,  June  2, 
1879.    21  Stat.  7. 
Sec.  7 To  detail  officers  from  the  several  depart- 
ments of  the  Government,  for  temporary  duty,  to  act  under 
the  direction  of  said  board,  to  carry  out  the  provisions  of 
this  act.  

AN  ACT  to  provide  office  rooms  for  the  National  Board  of 
Health,  and  for  the  publication  of  its  reports,  and  papers, 
and   for   other   purposes.     Approved,  July    1,   1879.     21 
Stat.  47. 
Sec.  3.    That  the  National  Board  of  Health  is  hereby  author- 
ized and  empowered  to  have  printed  and  bound  10,000  copies 
of  the  report  of  the  Board  of  Medical  Experts  created  by 
former  act  of  Congress. 


31 

AN  ACT  making  appropriations  for  the  support  of  the  Army 
for  the  fiscal  year  ending  June  20,  1883,  and  for  other 
purposes.  Approved,  June  30,  1882.  22  Stat.  121. 
For  construction  and  repair  of  hospitals,  as  reported  by  the 
Surgeon-General  of  the  Army,  $75,000 :  Provided,  That  $100,000 
be,  and  hereby  is,  appropriated  for  the  erection  of  an  Army 
and  Navy  Hospital  at  Hot  Springs,  Arkansas,  which  shall  be 
erected  by  and  under  the  direction  of  the  Secretary  of  War, 
in  accordance  w^ith  plans  and  specifications  to  be  prepared 
and  submitted  to  the  Secretary  of  War  by  the  Surgeons- 
General  of  the  Army  and  Navy;  which  hospital,  when  in  a 
condition  to  receive  patients,  shall  be  subject  to  such  rules, 
regulations,  and  restrictions  as  shall  be  provided  by  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States :  Provided  further,  That  such  hos- 
pital shall  be  erected  on  the  government  reservation  at  or 
near  Hot  Springs,  Arkansas. 


AN  ACT  of  July  5,  1884.  Approved,  July  5,  1884.  23  Stat. 
111-112. 
That  officers  of  the  Medical  Department  shall  take  rank  and 
precedence  in  accordance  with  date  of  commission  or  appoint- 
ment, and  shall  be  so  borne  on  the  official  Army  Register: 
Provided,  That  the  medical  officers  of  the  Army  and  con- 
tract surgeons  shall  whenever  practicable  attend  the  families 
of  the  officers  and  soldiers  free  of  charge. 


AN  ACT  to  organise  the  Hospital  Corps  of  the  Army  of  the 
United  States,  to  define  its  duty  and  fix  its  pay.  Approved, 
March  1,  1887.    24  Stat.  435-6. 

Sec.  1.  That  the  Hospital  Corps  of  the  United  States  Army 
shall  consist  of  hospital  stewards,  acting  hospital  stewards, 

and  privates ;  said  corps  shall  be  permanently  attached 

to  the  Medical  Department,  and  shall  not  be  included  in  the 
effective  strength  of  the  Army  nor  counted  as  a  part  of  the 
enlisted  force  provided  by  law. 

Sec.  2.  That  the  Secretary  of  War  is  empowered  to  appoint 
as  many  hospital  stewards  as  in  his  judgment  the  service  may 
require ;  but  not  more  than  one  hospital  steward  shall  be 
stationed  at  any  post  or  place  without  special  authority  of 
the  Secretary  of  War. 

Sec.  3.  That  the  pay  of  hospital  stewards  shall  be  $45  per 
month,  with  the  increase  on  account  of  length  of  service  as 
is  now  or  may  hereafter  be  allowed  by  law  to  other  enlisted 
men.  They  shall  have  rank  with  ordnance-sergeants  and  be 
entitled  to  all  the  allowances  appertaining  to  that  grade. 


32 

Sec.  4.  That  no  person  shall  be  appointed  a  hospital  steward 
unless  he  shall  have  passed  a  satisfactory  examination  before 
a  board  of  one  or  more  medical  officers  as  to  his  qualifica- 
tions for  the  position,  and  demonstrated  his  fitness  therefor 
by  service  of  not  less  than  twelve  months  as  acting  hospital 
steward. 

Sec.  5.  That  the  Secretary  of  War  is  empowered  to  enlist. 
or  cause  to  be  enlisted,  as  many  privates  of  the  Hospital 
Corps  as  the  service  may  require,  and  to  limit  or  fix  the  num- 
ber, and  make  such  regulations  for  their  government  as  may 
be  necessary ;  and  any  enlisted  man  in  the  Army  shall  be 
eligible  for  transfer  to  the  Hospital  Corps  as  a  private. 

Sec.  6.  That  the  pay  of  privates  of  the  Hospital  Corps 
shall  be  $13  per  month,  with  the  increase  on  account  of  length 
of  service  ;  they  shall  be  entitled  to  the  same  allow- 
ances as  a  corporal  of  the  arm  of  service  with  which  on  duty. 

Sec.  7.  That  privates  of  the  Hospital  Corps  may  be  detailed 
as  acting  hospital  stewards  by  the  Secretary  of  War,  upon 

the  recommendation  of  the  Surgeon-General and  while 

so  detailed  their  pay  shall  be  $25  per  month,  with  increase  as 
above  stated.  Acting  hospital  stewards,  when  educated  in 
the  duties  of  the  position,  may  be  eligible  for  examination  for 
appointment  as  hospital  stewards  as  above  provided. 

Sec.  8.  That  all  acts  and  parts  of  acts  in  so  far  as  they 
contravene  the  provisions  of  this  act  are  hereby  repealed. 


AN  ACT  to  define  the  grade  of  certain  medical  officers  of  the 
Army,  and  for  other  purposes.  Approved,  July  27 ,  1892. 
27  Stat.  276-7. 

Sec.  1.  That  from  and  after  the  passage  of  this  act  the 
grade  of  certain  medical  officers  of  the  Army  below  that  of 
Surgeon-General  shall  be  as  follows :  Those  holding  the  rank 
of  colonel,  assistant  surgeons-general ;  those  holding  the  rank 
of   lieutenant-colonel,   deputy   surgeons-general. 

Sec.  2.  That  before  receiving  the  rank  of  captain  of  cavalry, 
assistant  surgeons  shall  be  examined,  under  the  provisions  of 
an  act  approved  Oct.  1,  1890,  entitled  "An  Act  to  provide  for 
the  examination  of  certain  officers  of  the  Army  and  to  regu- 
late promotions  therein." 

Sec.  3.  That  medical  officers  of  the  Army  may  be  assigned 
by  the  Secretary  of  War  to  such  duties  as  the  interests  of  the 
service  may  demand. 

Sec.  4.  That  all  acts  or  parts  of  acts  inconsistent  with  the 
provisions  of  this  act  are  hereby  repealed. 


33 

AN  ACT  of  Aug.  6,  1894.  Approved,  Aug.  6,  1894.  28  Stat. 
235. 
That  hereafter  no  appointments  shall  be  made  to  the  office 
of  assistant  surgeon  until  the  number  of  assistant  surgeons 
shall  be  reduced  below  110,  and  thereafter  the  number  of 
officers  in  that  grade  in  the  Medical  Department  shall  be 
fixed  at  ninety 

AN    ACT    of    Aug.    18,    1894.      Approved,    Aug.    18,    1894. 
28  Stat.  403. 
Act  of  Aug.  6,  1894,  amended  so  that  number  of  assistant 
surgeons  shall  be  fixed  at  110. 


AN  ACT  for  the  better  organisation  of  the  line  of  the  Army 
of  the  United  States.  Approved,  April  26,  1898.  30  Stat. 
365. 

Sec.    3 Provided     further.     That     in     volunteer 

organizations  received  into  the  service  under  this  Act  and 
existing  laws,  one  hospital  steward  shall  be  authorized  for 
each  battalion.  

AN  ACT  to  increase  the  nuniber  of  surgeons  in  the  United 
States  Army.    Approved,  May  12,  1898.    30  Stat.  406. 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives 
of  the  United  States  of  America  in  Congress  assembled,  That 
the  number  of  medical  officers  of  the  Army  be  increased  by 
the  addition  of  fifteen  assistant  surgeons  with  the  rank  of 
first  lieutenant,  to  be  appointed  after  examination  by  an  army 
medical  examining  board,  in  accordance  with  existing  regu- 
lations. 

Sec.  2.  That  in  emergencies  the  Surgeon-General  of  the 
Army,  with  the  approval  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  may  appoint 
as  many  contract  surgeons  as  may  be  necessary  at  a  compensa- 
tion not  to  exceed  $150  per  month. 


AN  ACT   to   suspend  certain  provisions  of  law  relating   to 

hospital  stewards  in   the    United  States  Army,  and  for 

other  purposes.     Approved,  June  2,  1898.     30  Stat.  428. 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives 

of  the  United  States  of  America  in  Congress  assembled,  That 

all  provisions  of  law  limiting  the  number  of  hospital  stewards 

in  service  at  any  one  time  to  100,  and  requiring  that  a  person 

to  be  appointed  a  hospital  steward  shall  first  demonstrate  his 

fitness    therefor   by   actual    service    of    not   less    than   twelve 

months  as  acting  hospital  steward,  and  that  limit  the  amount 

to  be  expended  for  the  pay  of  civil  employees  in  the  Medical 


34 

Department  of  the  Army  in  one  year  to  $40,000  be,  and  the 
same  are  hereby,  suspended  during  the  existing  war :  Pro- 
vided, That  the  increase  of  hospital  stewards  under  this  Act 
shall  not  exceed  100.  

AN  ACT  for  increasing  the  efficiency  of  the  Army  of  the 
United  States,  and  for  other  purposes.    Approved,  March 
2,  1899.    30  Stat.  979. 
Sec.  7.     That  the  Medical  Department  shall  consist 

of  the  officers  and  enlisted  men  now  provided  by  law. 


AN  ACT  to  increase  the  efficiency  of  the  Permanent  Military 
Establishment  of  the  U.  S.  Approved,  Feb.  2,  1901. 
31  Stat.  752-3. 

Sec.  18.  That  the  Medical  Department  shall  consist  of  one 
Surgeon-General  with  the  rank  of  brigadier-general,  eight 
assistant  surgeons-general  with  the  rank  of  colonel,  twelve 
deputy  surgeons-general  with  the  rank  of  lieutenant-colonel, 
sixty  surgeons  with  the  rank  of  major,  240  assistant  surgeons 
with  the  rank  of  captain  or  first  lieutenant,  the  Hospital  Corps, 
as  now  authorized  by  law,  and  the  Nurse  Corps 

Provided  further,  That  in  emergencies  the  Surgeon- 
General  of  the  Army,  with  the  approval  of  the  Secretary  of 
War,  may  appoint  as  many  contract  surgeons  as  may  be  neces- 
sary, at  a  compensation  not  to  exceed  $150  per  month.  That 
on  or  after  the  passage  of  this  Act  the  President  may  appoint, 
for  duty  in  the  Philippine  Islands,  fifty  surgeons  of  volunteers 
with  the  rank  and  pay  of  major,  and  150  assistant  surgeons 
of  volunteers  with  the  rank  and  pay  of  captain,  mounted,  for 
a  period  of  two  years :  Provided,  That  the  Surgeon- 
General  of  the  Army,  with  the  approval  of  the  Secretary  of 
War,  be,  and  he  is  hereby,  authorized  to  employ  dental  sur- 
geons to  serve  the  officers,  and  enlisted  men  of  the  Regular 
and  Volunteer  Army,  in  the  proportion  of  not  to  exceed  one 
for  every  1,000  of  said  Army,  and  not  exceeding  thirty  in  all. 
Said  dental  surgeons  shall  be  employed  as  contract  dental  sur- 
geons   under   the    terms    and    conditions    applicable   to    army 

contract   surgeons Provided,   That   the   Secretary  of 

War  be  authorized  to  appoint  in  the  Hospital  Corps,  in  addi- 
tion to  the  200  hospital  stewards  now  allowed  by  law,  100 
hospital  stewards :  Provided,  That  men  who  have  served  as 
hospital  stewards  of  volunteer  regiments  or  acted  in  that 
capacity  during  and  since  the  Spanish-American  War  for 
more  than  six  months  may  be  appointed  hospital  stewards  in 
the  Regular  Army. 

Sec.  19.  That  the  Nurse  Corps  (female)  shall  consist  of 
one  Superintendent,  to  be  appointed  by  the  Secretary  of  War, 


35 

who  shall  be  a  graduate  of  a  hospital  training  school  having 
a  course  of  instruction  of  not  less  than  two  years,  whose 
term  of  office  may  be  terminated  at  his  discretion,  whose  com- 
pensation shall  be  $1,800  per  annum,  and  of  as  many  chief 

nurses,  nurses,  and  reserve  nurses  as  may  be  needed 

Provided,  That  all  nurses  in  the  Nurse  Corps  shall  be 
appointed    or    removed    by    the    Surgeon-General,    with    the 

approval    of   the   Secretary   of    War ;    And    provided, 

That  the  superintendent  and  nurses  shall  receive  transporta- 
tion and  necessary  expenses  when  traveling  under  orders  ;  that 
the  pay  and  allowances  of  nurses,  and  of  reserve  nurses,  when 
on  active  service,  shall  be  $40  per  month  when  on  duty  in 
the  United  States  and  $50  per  month  when  without  the  limits 
of  the  United  States.  They  shall  be  entitled  to  quarters,  sub- 
sistence, and  medical  attendance  during  illness,  and  they  may 
be  granted  leaves  of  absence  for  thirty  days,  with  pay,  for 
each  calendar  year ;  and,  when  serving  as  chief  nurses,  their 
pay  may  be  increased  by  authority  of  the  Secretary  of  War, 
such  increase  not  to  exceed  $25  per  month. 


AN  ACT  to  increase  the  efficiency  and  change  the  name  of 
the    United   States  Marine-Hospital  Service.     Approved, 
July  1,  1902.     32.1  Stat.  713. 
Sec.    5.     That   there   shall   be   an   advisory  board    for   the 
hygienic  laboratory  provided  by  the  Act  of  Congress  approved 
March  3,  1901,  for  consultation  with  the  Surgeon-General  of 
the  Public  Health  and  Marine-Hospital  Service  relative  to  the 
investigations   to   be   inaugurated,   and   the  methods   of   con- 
ducting same,   in   said  laboratory.     Said  board  shall  consist 
of  three  competent  experts,  to  be  detailed   from  the  Army, 
the  Navy,  and  the  Bureau  of  Animal  Industry,  by  the  Sur- 
geon-General of  the  Army. 


AN  ACT  to  regulate  the  sale  of  viruses,  serums,  toxins,  and 
analogous  products  in  the  District  of  Columbia,  to  regu- 
late interstate  traffic  in  said  articles,  and  for  other  pur- 
poses.   Approved,  July  1,  1902.    32.1  Stat.  729. 

Sec.   4.     That    the    Surgeon-General   of   the    Army    

be,  and  he  is  hereby,  constituted  a  board  with  authority,  sub- 
ject to  the  approval  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  to 
promulgate  from  time  to  time  such  rules  as  may  be  neces- 
sary in  the  judgment  of  said  board  to  govern  the  issue,  sus- 
pension, and  revocation  of  licenses  for  the  maintenance  of 
establishments  for  the  propagation  of  and  preparation  of 
viruses,  serums,  toxins,  antitoxins,  and  analogous  products, 
applicable  to  the  prevention  and  cure  of  diseases  of  man. 


36 

AN  ACT  making  appropriations  for  the  support  of  the  Army 
for  the  fiscal  year  ending  June  30,  1904.  Approved, 
March  2,  1903.    32.1  Stat.  930. 

Hospital     Corps     Provided,     That    hereafter    the 

Hospital  Corps  of  the  United  States  Army  shall  consist  of 
sergeants  first  class,  sergeants,  corporals,  privates  first  class, 
and  privates :  the  rank  and  pay  of  sergeants  first  class,  ser- 
geants, and  privates  first  class  shall  be  as  now  provided  by 
law  for  hospital  stewards,  acting  hospital  stewards,  and  pri- 
vates of  the  Hospital  Corps ;  corporals  shall  receive  $20  per 
month  and  privates  $16,  with  such  increase  on  account  of 
length  of  service  as  is  now  or  may  hereafter  be  allowed  by 
law  to  other  enlisted  men.  That  the  Secretary  of  War  is 
authorized  to  organize  companies  of  instruction,  ambulance 
companies,  field  hospital,  and  other  detachments  of  the  Hos- 
pital Corps  as  the  necessities  of  the  service  may  require. 


AN  ACT  making  appropriation  for  the  support  of  the  Army 
for  the  fiscal  year  ending  June  30,  1904.  Approved, 
March  2,  1903.    32.1  Stat.  940. 

Medical    Department.      Epidemic,    etc.,    diseases 

for  the  proper  care  and  treatment  of  epidemic  and  con- 
tagious diseases,  in  the  Army  or  at  military  posts  or  sta- 
tions, including  measures  to  prevent  the  spread  thereof,  and 
the  payment  of  reasonable  damages,  not  otherwise  provided 
for,  for  bedding  and  clothing  injured  or  destroyed  in  such 
prevention.  

AN  ACT  making  appropriations  for  the  support  of  the  Army 
for  the  fiscal  year  ending  June  30,  1905,  and  for  other 
purposes.     Approved,  April  23,  1904.     33.1  Stat.  272. 

Medical    Department,    Supplies,    Etc for    the 

proper  care  and  treatment  of  epidemic  and  contagious  dis- 
eases in  the  Army  or  at  military  posts  or  stations,  including 
measures  to  prevent  the  spread  thereof,  and  the  payment  of 
reasonable  damages,  not  otherwise  provided  for,  for  bedding 
and  clothing  injured  or  destroyed  in  such  prevention. 


AN  ACT  making  appropriation  for  the  support  of  the  Army 
for  the  fiscal  year  ending  June  30,  1906.  Approved, 
March  2,  1905.    331  Stat.  838. 

Medical    Department,    Nurses for    the   proper 

care  and  treatment  of  epidemic  and  contagious  diseases  in  the 
Army  or  at  military  posts  or  stations,  including  measures 
to  prevent  the  spread  thereof,  and  the  payment  of  reasonable 
damages. 


37 

AN  ACT  making  appropriation  for  the  support  of  the  Army 
for  the  fiscal  year  ending  June  20,  1907.  Approved,  June 
12,  1906.     34.1  Stat.  255. 

Medical    Department,    Nurses,    Etc for    the 

proper  care  and  treatment  of  epidemic  and  contagious  dis- 
eases in  the  Army  or  at  military  posts  or  stations,  including 
measures  to  prevent  the  spread  thereof,  and  the  payment  of 
reasonable  damages  not  otherwise  provided  for. 


AN  ACT  making  appropriation  for  the  support  of  the  Army 
for  the  fiscal  year  ending  June  30,  1908.  Approved,  March 
2,  1907.    34.1  Stat.  1172. 

Medical   Department.     Provisos for  the   proper 

care  and  treatment  of  epidemic  and  contagious  diseases  in 
the  Army  or  at  military  posts  or  stations,  including  measures 
to  prevent  the  spread  thereof,  and  the  payment  of  reasonable 
damages  not  otherwise  provided  for. 


AN  ACT  to  increase  the  efficiency  of  the  Medical  Department 
of  the  United  States  Army.  Approved,  April  23,  1908. 
35.1  Stat.  66-9. 

Sec.  1.  That  from  and  after  the  approval  of  this  Act  the 
Medical  Department  of  the  U.  S.  Army  shall  consist  of  a 
Medical  Corps  and  a  Medical  Reserve  Corps,  as  hereinafter 
provided ;  and  the  Hospital  Corps,  the  nurse  corps,  and  dental 
surgeons,  as  now  authorized  by  law. 

Sec.  2.  That  the  Medical  Corps  shall  consist  of  one  Sur- 
geon-General, with  rank  of  brigadier-general,  who  shall  be 
chief  of  the  Medical  Department ;  fourteen  colonels,  twenty- 
four  lieutenant-colonels,  105  majors,  and  300  captains  or  first 
lieutenants,  who  shall  have  rank,  pay,  and  allowances  of 
officers  of  corresponding  grades  in  the  cavalry  arm  of  the 
service ;  and  hereafter  first  lieutenants  shall  be  pro- 
moted to  the  grade  of  captain  after  three  years'  service  in 
the  Medical  Corps. 

Sec.  3.  That  promotions  in  the  Medical  Corps  to  fill  vacan- 
cies in  the  several  grades  created  or  caused  by  this  Act,  or 
hereafter    occurring,    shall   be    made   according   to    seniority, 

:    Provided,    That   the    increase   in   grades   of   colonel, 

lieutenant-colonel,  and  major  provided  for  in  this  Act  shall 
be  filled  by  promotion  each  calendar  year  of  not  exceeding 
two  lieutenant-colonels  to  be  colonels,  three  majors  to  be 
lieutenant-colonels,  fourteen  captains  to  be  majors,  and  of 
the  increase  in  the  grade  of  first  lieutenant  not  more  than 
25  per  centum  of  the  total  of  such  increase  shall  be  appointed 
in  any  one  calendar  year :   


38 

Sec.  4.  That  no  person  shall  receive  an  appointment  as 
first  lieutenant  in  the  Medical  Corps  unless  he  shall  have  been 
examined  and  approved  by  an  army  medical  board  con- 
sisting of  not  less  than  three  officers  of  the  Medical  Corps 
designated  by  the  Secretary  of  War. 

Sec.  5.  That  no  officer  of  the  Medical  Corps  below  the 
rank  of  lieutenant-colonel  shall  be  promoted  therein  until  he 
shall  have  successfully  passed  an  examination  before  an 
army  medical  board  consisting  of  not  less  than  three  officers 
of  the  Medical  Corps,  to  be  designated  by  the  Secretary  of 
War,    such    examination   to   be    prescribed   by   the    Secretary 

of    War,    Provided,    That    should   any   officer   of    the 

Medical  Corps  fail  in  his  physical  examination  and  be  found 
incapacitated  for  service  by  reason  of  physical  disability  con- 
tracted in  the  line  of  duty,  he  shall  be  retired  with  the  rank 
to  which  his  seniority  entitled  him  to  be  promoted ;  but  if 
he  should  be  found  disqualified  for  promotion  for  any  other 
reason,  a  second  examination  shall  not  be  allowed,  but  the 
Secretary  of  War  shall  appoint  a  board  of  review  to  consist 
of  three  officers  of  the  Medical  Corps  superior  in  rank  to 
the  officer  examined,  none  of  whom  shall  have  served  as  a 
member  of  the  board  which  examined  him.  If  the  unfavor- 
able finding  of  the  examining  board  is  concurred  in  by  the 
board  of  review,  the  officer  reported  disqualified  for  promo- 
tion shall,  if  a  first  lieutenant  or  captain,  be  honorably  dis- 
charged from  the  service  with  one  year's  pay;  and,  if  a 
major,  shall  be  debarred  from  promotion  and  the  officer 
next  in  rank  found  qualified  shall  be  promoted  to  the  vacancy. 
If  the  action  of  the  examining  board  is  disapproved  by  the 
board  of  review,  the  officer  shall  be  considered  qualified  and 
shall  be  promoted. 

Sec.  6.  That  nothing  in  this  Act  shall  be  construed  to 
legislate  out  of  the  service  any  officer  now  in  the  Medical 
Department  of  the  Army,  nor  to  affect  the  relative  rank  or 
promotion 

Sec.  7.  That  for  the  purpose  of  securing  a  reserve  corps 
of  medical  officers  available  for  military  service,  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States  is  authorized  to  issue  commissions 
as  first  lieutenants  therein  to  such  graduates  of  reputable 
schools  of  medicine,  citizens  of  the  United  States,  as  shall 
from  time  to  time,  upon  examination  to  be  prescribed  by  the 
Secretary  of  War,  be  found  physically,  mentally,  and  morally 
qualified  to  hold  such  commissions,  the  persons  so  commis- 
sioned to  constitute  and  be  known  as  the  Medical  Reserve 
Corps.  The  commissions  so  given  shall  confer  upon  the 
holders  all  the  authority,  rights,  and  privileges  of  commis- 
sioned officers  of  the  like  grade  in  the  Medical  Corps  of  the 
United  States  Army,  except  promotions,  but  only  when  called 


39 

into    active    duty,    as    hereinafter    provided,    and    during   the 

period  of  such  active  duty and  when  employed  on 

active  duty,  as  hereinafter  provided,  shall  rank  next  below 
all  other  officers  of  like  grade  in  the  United  States  Army: 
Provided,  That  contract  surgeons  now  in  the  military  service 
who  receive  the  favorable  recommendation  of  the  Surgeon- 
General  of  the  Army  shall  be  eligible  for  appointment  in  said 
reserve  corps  without  further  examination :  Provided  fur- 
ther, That  any  contract  surgeon  not  over  27  years  of  age 
at  date  of  his  appointment  as  contract  surgeon  shall  be 
eligible  to  appointment  in  the  regular  corps. 

Sec.  8.  That  in  emergencies  the  Secretary  of  War  may 
order  officers  of  the  Medical  Reserve  Corps  to  active  duty  in 
the  service  of  the  United  States  in  such  numbers  as  the 
public    interests    may    require,    and    may    relieve   them    from 

such  duty  when  their  services  are  no  longer  necessary :  

And  provided  further,  That  the  President  is  authorized  to 
honorably  discharge  from  the  Medical  Reserve  Corps  any 
officer  thereof  whose  services  are  no  longer  required :  And 
provided  further,  That  officers  of  the  Medical  Reserve  Corps 
who  apply  for  appointment  in  the  Medical  Corps  of  the 
Army  may,  upon  the  recommendation  of  the  Surgeon-Gen- 
eral, be  placed  on  active  duty  by  the  Secretary  of  War  and 
ordered  to  the  Army  Medical  School  for  instruction  and 
further  examination  to  determine  their  fitness  for  commis- 
sion in  the  Medical  Corps ;  And  provided  further.  That  any 
officer  of  the  Medical  Reserve  Corps  who  is  subject  to  call 
and  who  shall  be  ordered  upon  active  duty  as  herein  provided 
and  who  shall  be  unwilling  and  refuse  to  accept  such  service 
shall  forfeit  his  commission. 

Sec.  9.  That  officers  of  the  Medical  Reserve  Corps  when 
called  upon  active  duty  in  the  service  of  the  United  States, 
as  provided  in  Section  8  of  this  Act,  shall  be  subject  to  the 
laws,  regulations,  and  orders  for  the  government  of  the 
Regular  Army,  and  during  the  period  of  such  service  shall 
be  entitled  to  the  pay  and  allowances  of  first  lieutenants  of 
the  Medical  Corps  with  increase  for  length  of  service  now 
allowed  by  law,  said  increase  to  be  computed  only  for  time 
of  active  duty:  Provided,  That  no  officer  of  the  Medical 
Reserve  Corps  shall  be  entitled  to  retirement  or  retirement 
pay,  nor  shall  he  be  entitled  to  pension  except  for  physical 
disability  incurred  in  the  line  of  duty  while  in  active  duty: 
And  provided  further.  That  nothing  in  this  Act  shall  be 
construed  to  prevent  the  appointment  in  time  of  war  of  medi- 
cal officers  of  volunteers  in  such  numbers  and  with  such 
rank  and  pay  as  may  be  provided  by  law. 

Sec.  10.  That  all  Acts  and  parts  of  Acts  in  conflict  with 
the  provisions  of  this  Act  are  hereby  repealed. 


40 

AN  ACT  tivaking  appropriation  for  the  support  of  the  Army 
for  the  fiscal  year  ending  June  30,  1909.    Approved,  May 
11,  1908.     35.1  Stat.  122. 
Medical  Department.    Provisos.   Restriction.    Contagious 

Diseases,  Etc Provided,  That  this  shall  not  apply 

to  officers  and  enlisted  men  who  are  treated  in  private  hospi- 
tals or  by  civilian  physicians  while  on  furlough ;  for  the 
proper  care  and  treatment  of  epidemic  and  contagious  dis- 
eases in  the  Army  or  at  military  posts  or  stations,  including 
measures  to  prevent  the  spread  thereof,  and  the  payment  of 
reasonable  damages  not  otherwise  provided  for,  for  bedding 
and  clothing  injured  or  destroyed  in  such  prevention. 


AN  ACT  making  appropriation  for  the  support  of  the  Army 
for  the  fiscal  year  ending  June  30,  1910.  Approved, 
March  3,  1909.    35.1  Stat.  737-748. 

Medical  Department:  For  pay  of  officers  in  the  Medical 
Department,  $1,300,000;  Provided,  That  any  major  of  the 
Medical  Corps  on  the  active  list  of  the  Army  who,  at  his 
first  examination  for  promotion  to  the  grade  of  lieutenant- 
colonel  in  said  corps,  has  been  or  shall  hereafter  be  found 
disqualified  for  such  promotion  for  any  reason  other  than 
physical  disability  incurred  in  the  line  of  duty  shall  be  sus- 
pended from  promotion  and  his  right  thereto  shall  pass 
successively  to  such  officers  next  below  him  in  rank  in  said 
corps  as  are  or  may  become  eligible  to  promotion  under 
existing  law  during  the  period  of  his  suspension ;  and  any 
officer  suspended  from  promotion,  as  hereinbefore  provided, 
shall  be  re-examined  as  soon  as  practicable  after  the  expira- 
tion of  one  year  from  the  date  of  the  completion  of  the 
examination  that  resulted  in  his  suspension ;  and  if  on 
re-examination  he  is  found  qualified  for  promotion,  he  shall 
again  become  eligible  thereto;  but  if  he  is  found  disqualified 
by  reason  of  physical  disability  incurred  in  line  of  duty,  he 
shall  be  retired,  with  the  rank  to  which  his  seniority  entitles 
him  to  be  promoted ;  and  if  he  is  not  found  disqualified  by 
reason  of  such  physical  disability,  but  is  found  disqualified 
for  promotion  for  any  other  reason,  he  shall  be  retired  with- 
out promotion. 

Medical  and  Hospital  Department.  Provisos.  Con- 
tagious diseases,  etc for  the  proper  care  and  treat- 
ment of  epidemic  and  contagious  diseases  in  the  Army  or 
at  military  posts  or  stations,  including  measures  to  prevent 
the  spread  thereof,  and  the  payment  of  reasonable  damages 
not  otherwise  provided  for,  for  bedding  or  clothing  injured 
or  destroyed  in  such  prevention. 


41 

AN  ACT  making  appropriation  for  the  support  of  the  Army 
for    the   fiscal   year   ending   June   30,   1911.      Approved, 
March  23,  1910.    36.1  Stat.  259. 
Medical    Department.      Proviso.      Contagious    Diseases. 

For    the    proper    care    and    treatment    of    epidemics 

and  contagious  diseases  in  the  Army  or  at  military  posts  or 
stations,  including  measures  to  prevent  the  spread  thereof, 
and  the  payment  of  reasonable  damages  not  otherwise  pro- 
vided   for.  

AN  ACT  providing   for   the  retirement   of   certain   medical 
officers   of   the   Army.    Approved,   June   22,   1910.     36.1 
Stat.  580. 
Army  Medical  Reserve  Corps.    Retirement  for  Age,  Etc. 
Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives 
of  the  United  States  of  America  in  Congress  assembled,  That 
any  officer   of   the    Medical    Reserve    Corps    who    shall   have 
reached  the  age  of  70  years,  and  whose  total  active  service 
in  the  Army  of  the  United  States,  regular  or  volunteer,  as 
such  officer,  and  as  contract  or  acting  assistant  surgeon,  and 
as  an  enlisted  man  in  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  shall  equal 
forty  years,  may  thereupon,  in  the  discretion  of  the  Presi- 
dent, be  placed  upon  the  retired  list  of  the  Army  with  the 
rank,  pay,  and  allowances  of  a  first  lieutenant. 


AN  ACT  making  appropriations  for  the  support  of  the  Army 
for  the  fiscal  year  ending  June  30,  1912.  Approved, 
March  3,  1911.  361  Stat.  1054-55. 
Dental  Corps.  Dental  Surgeons,  and  Acting  Dental 
Surgeons  Authorized.  Hereafter  there  shall  be  attached  to 
the  Medical  Department  a  dental  corps,  which  shall  be  com- 
posed of  dental  surgeons  and  acting  dental  surgeons,  the 
total  number  of  which  shall  not  exceed  the  proportion  of  one 
to  each  thousand  of  actual  enlisted  strength  of  the  Army; 
the  number  of  dental  surgeons  shall  not  exceed  sixty,  and 
the  number  of  acting  dental  surgeons  shall  be  such  as  may, 
from  time  to  time,  be  authorized  by  law.  All  original  appoint- 
ments to  the  dental  corps  shall  be  as  acting  dental  surgeons, 
who  shall  have  the  same  official  status,  pay,  and  allowances 
as  the  contract  dental  surgeons  now  authorized  by  law.  Act- 
ing dental  surgeons  who  have  served  three  years  in  a  manner 
satisfactory  to  the  Secretary  of  War  shall  be  eligible  for 
appointment  as  dental  surgeons,  and,  after  passing  in  a 
satisfactory  manner  an  examination  which  may  be  prescribed 
by  the    Secretary  of   War,   may  be   commissioned    with   the 


42 

rank  of  first  lieutenant  in  the  dental  corps  to  fill  the  vacancies 
existing  therein.  Officers  of  the  dental  corps  shall  have  rank 
in  such  corps  according  to  date  of  their  commissions  therein 
and  shall  rank  next  below  officers  of  the  Medical  Reserve 
Corps.  Their  right  to  command  shall  be  limited  to  the  dental 
corps.  The  pay  and  allowances  of  dental  surgeons  shall  be 
those  of  first  lieutenants,  including  the  right  to  retirement 
on  account  of  age  or  disability,  as  in  the  case  of  other  offi- 
cers :  Provided,  That  the  time  served  by  dental  surgeons  as 
acting  dental  or  contract  dental  surgeons  shall  be  reckoned 
in  computing  the  increased  service  pay  of  such  as  are  com- 
missioned under  this  act.  The  appointees  as  acting  dental 
surgeons  must  be  citizens  of  the  United  States  between  21 
and  27  years  of  age,  graduates  of  a  standard  dental  college, 
of  good  moral  character  and  good  professional  education, 
and  they  shall  be  required  to  pass  the  usual  physical  exam- 
ination required  for  appointment  in  the  Medical  Corps,  and 
a  professional  examination  which  shall  include  tests  of  skill 
in  practical  dentistry  and  of  proficiency  in  the  usual  subjects 
of  a  standard  dental  college  course ;  Provided,  That  the  con- 
tract dental  surgeons  attached  to  the  Medical  Department 
at  the  time  of  the  passage  of  this  Act  may  be  eligible  for 
appointment  as  first  lieutenants,  dental  corps,  without  limita- 
tion as  to  age :  And  provided  further.  That  the  profes- 
sional examination  for  such  appointment  may  be  waived  in 
the  case  of  contract  surgeons  in  the  service  at  the  time  of 
the  passage  of  this  Act  whose  efficiency  reports  and  entrance 
examinations  are  satisfactory.  The  Secretary  of  War  is 
authorized  to  appoint  boards  of  three  examiners  to  conduct 
the  examinations  herein  prescribed,  one  of  whom  shall  be 
a  surgeon  in  the  Army  and  two  of  whom  shall  be  selected 
by  the  Secretary  of  War  from  the  commissioned  dental 
surgeons.  

AN  ACT  to  amend  on  Act  entitled  "An  Act  providing  for 

the  retirement  of  certain  medical  officers  of  the  Army," 

approved,  June  22,  1910.    Approved,  March  4,  1911.    361 

Stat.  1348. 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives 

of  the  United  States  of  America  in  Congress  assembled,  That 

the  act  approved  June  22,  1910,  entitled  "An  Act  providing 

for  the  retirement  of  certain  medical  officers  of  the  Army," 

be,  and  the  same  is  hereby,  amended  as  follows : 

Strike  out  the  words  "in  the  War  of  the  Rebellion,"  follow- 
ing the  words  "enlisted  man,"  in  said  Act,  so  that  the  Act 
as  amended  will  read : 

"Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives 
of  the  United  States  of  America  in  Congress  assembled.  That 


43 

any  officer  of  the  Medical  Reserve  Corps  who  shall  have 
reached  the  age  of  70  years,  and  whose  total  active  service  in 
the  Army  of  the  United  States,  regular  or  volunteer,  as  such 
officer,  and  as  contract  or  acting  assistant  surgeon,  and  as 
an  enlisted  man,  shall  equal  forty  years,  may  thereupon,  in 
the  discretion  of  the  President,  be  placed  upon  the  retired 
list  of  the  Army  with  the  rank,  pay,  and  allowances  of  a 
first  lieutenant.  

AN  ACT  relative  to  members  of  the  Female  Nurse  Corps 
serving  in  Alaska  or  at  places  without  the  limits  of  the 
United  States.    Approved,  March  4,  1912.    371  Stat.  72. 
Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives of  the  United  States  of  America  in  Congress  assembled. 
That  the  superintendent  and  members  of  the  Female  Nurse 
Corps  when  serving  in  Alaska  or  at  places  without  the  limits 
of  the  United  States  may  be  allowed  the  same  privileges  in 
regard  to  cumulative  leaves  of  absence  and  method  of  com- 
putation of  same  as  are  now  allowed  by  law  to  Army  offi- 
cers so  serving.  

AN  ACT  to  provide  for  the  use  of  the  American  National 
Red  Cross  in  aid  of  the  land  and  naval  forces  in  time 
of  actual  or  threatened  war.     Approved,  April  24,  1912. 
37.1  Stat.  90-91. 
Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  the  House  of  Representa- 
tives of  the  United  States  of  America  in  Congress  assembled. 
That  whenever  in  time  of   war,  or  when  war  is  imminent, 
the   President   may   deem   the   co-operation   and   use   of   the 
National  Red  Cross  with  the  sanitary  services  of  the  land 
and  naval  forces  to  be  necessary,  he  is  authorized  to  accept 
the  assistance  tendered  by  the  said  Red  Cross  and  to  employ 
the  same  under  the  sanitary  services  of  the  Army  and  Navy 
in    conformity   with    such   rules   and    regulations   as   he   may 
prescribe. 

Sec.  2.  That  when  the  Red  Cross  co-operation  and  assist- 
ance with  the  land  and  naval  forces  in  time  of  war  or  threat- 
ened hostilities  shall  have  been  accepted  by  the  President, 
the  personnel  entering  upon  the  duty  specified  in  Section 
1  of  this  act  shall,  while  proceeding  to  their  place  of  duty, 
while  serving  thereat,  and  while  returning  therefrom,  be 
transported  and  subsisted  at  the  cost  and  charge  of  the 
United  States  as  civilian  employees  employed  with  the  said 
forces,  and  the  Red  Cross  supplies  that  may  be  tendered  as 
a  gift  and  accepted  for  use  in  the  sanitary  service  shall  be 
transported  at  the  cost  and  charge  of  the  United  States. 


44 

AN  ACT  making  appropriations  for  the  naval  service  for 
the  fiscal  year  ending  June  30,  1913,  and  for  other  pur- 
poses.    Approved,  Aug.  22,  1912.     37.1  Stat.  344. 

That  a  Medical  Reserve  Corps,  to  be  a  constituent  part 
of  the  Medical  Department  of  the  Navy,  is  hereby  established 
under  the  same  conditions,  in  all  respects  (except  as  may 
be  necessary  to  adapt  the  said  provisions  to  the  Navy),  as 
those  providing  a  Medical  Reserve  Corps  to  the  Army,  and 
as  set  forth  in  the  act  to  increase  the  efficiency  of  the  Medital 
Department  of  the  United  States  Army  approved  April 
23.  1908. 

That  the  appointment  of  not  more  than  thirty  assistant 
dental  surgeons  be,  and  the  same  is  hereby,  authorized,  said 
assistant  dental  surgeons  to  be  a  part  of  the  Medical  Depart- 
ment of  the  United  States  Navy 


AN  ACT   making  appropriations  for  sundry   civil  expenses 
of  the  government  for  the  fiscal  year  ending  June  30, 1913, 
and  for  other  purposes.     Approved,  Aug.  24,  1912.    37 J. 
Stat.  481. 
Proviso.    Army  Medical  Bulletins.    For  the  War  Depart- 
ment $190,000 :     Provided,  That  the  sum  of  $3,000  or  so  much 
thereof  as  may  be  necessary,  may  be  used  for  the  publication, 
from  time  to  time,  of  bulletins  prepared  under  the  direction 
of  the  Surgeon-General  of  the  Army  for  the  instruction  of 
medical  officers  when  approved  by  the  Secretary  of  War. 


AN  ACT  to  provide  for  raising  the  volunteer  forces  of  the 
United  States  in  time  of  actual  or  threatened  war. 
Approved,  April  25,  1914.    38  Stat.  347-51. 

Sec.  1.  That  the  land  forces  of  the  United  States  shall 
consist  of  the  Regular  Army,  the  organized  land  militia  while 
in  the  service  of  the  United  States,  and  such  volunteer  forces 
as  Congress  may  authorize. 

Sec.  2.  That  the  volunteer  forces  shall  be  raised,  organized, 
and  maintained,  as  in  this  Act  provided,  only  during  the 
existence  of  war,  or  while  war  is  imminent,  and  only  after 
Congress  shall  have  authorized  the  President  to  raise  such. 
a  force:     Provided,  That  the  term  of  enlistment   

Sec.  3.  That  when  volunteer  forces  are  to  be  raised  the 
President  shall  issue  his  proclamation,  stating  the  number 
of  men  desired  for  each  arm,  corps,  and  department,  within 

such  limits  as  may  be  fixed  by  law,    Provided,  That 

the   power    to   organize    volunteer    forces    shall    include    the 


45 

power  to  provide,  within  such  limits  as  are  or  may  be  pre- 
scribed by  law,  the  officers  and  enlisted  men  of  all  grades 
and  classes,  and  the  trained  nurses,  male  and  female,  that 
may  be  necessary  in  the  various  arms,  corps,  and  depart- 
ments: Provided  further,  That  when  three-fourths  of  the 
prescribed  minimum  enlisted  strength  of  any  company,  troop, 
or  battery shall  volunteer  and  be  accepted  for  ser- 
vice in  the  Volunteer  Army  as   such  company,    such 

organization  may  be  received  into  the  volunteer  forces  in 
advance  of  other  organizations  of  the  same  army  or  class 
from  the  same  state,  territory,  or  district,  Pro- 
vided further.  That  all  enlisted  men  received  into  the  ser- 
vice in  the  volunteer  forces  shall,  as  far  as  practicable,  be 
taken  from  the  several  states  and  territories  and  the  Dis- 
trict of  Columbia  in  proportion  to  the  respective  popula- 
tions thereof 

Sec.  4.  That  the  volunteer  forces  shall  be  subject  to  the 
laws,  orders,  and  regulations  governing  the  Regular  Army 
in  so  far  as  such  laws,  orders,  and  regulations  are  applicable 
to  officers  or  enlisted  men  whose  permanent  retention  in  the 
military  service,  either  on  the  active  list  or  on  the  retired 
list,  is  not  contemplated  by  existing  law;  and  no  distinction 
shall  be  made  between  the  Regular  Army,  the  organized 
militia  while  in  the  military  service  of  the  United  States, 
and  the  volunteer  forces  in  respect  to  promotion  or  to  the 
conferring    upon    officers    or    enlisted    men    of    brevet    rank. 

medals    Provided,  That  the  organization  of  all  units 

of  the  line  and  of  the  signal  corps  of  the  volunteer  forces 
shall  be  the  same  as  that  prescribed  by  law  and  regulations 
for  the  corresponding  units  of  the  Regular  Army:  Provided 
further.  That  when  military  conditions  so  require  the  Presi- 
dent may  organize  the  land  forces  of  the  United  States  into 
brigades  and  divisions  and  such  higher  units  as  he  may  deem 
necessary,  and  the  composition  of  units  higher  than  the  regi- 
ment shall  be  as  he  may  prescribe ;  Provided  further.  That 
to  each  regiment  of  infantry,  cavalry,  and  artillery,  and  to 
each  battalion  of  engineers  and  Signal  Corps  troops  organ- 
ized under  this  Act,  there  shall  be  attached  the  same  per- 
sonnel of  the  Medical  Department  as  are  attached  to  like 
organizations  of  the  Regular  Army:     Provided  further,  That 

the    organization    of    establishments    of    the    Medical 

Department,  and  of  other  adjuncts  that  may  be  neces- 
sary in  the  prosecution  of  war,  and  the  organization  of  which 
is  not  otherwise  provided  for  by  law,  shall  be. as  the  Presi- 
dent may  from  time  to  time  direct. 

Sec.  5.    That  except  as  otherwise  provided  herein  the  Presi- 
dent is  authorized,  by  and  with   the  advice  and  consent  of 


46 

the  Senate,  to  appoint  all  volunteer  officers  required  by  this 
Act,  but  the  number  and  grade  of  such  officers  shall  not 
exceed  the  number  and  grade  of  like  officers  provided  for  a 
like  force  of  the  Regular  Army :  Provided,  That  all  appoint- 
ments below  the  grade  of  brigadier-general  in  the  line  of 
the  volunteer  forces  shall  be  by  commission  in  an  arm  of 
the  service  and  not  by  commission  in  any  particular  regi- 
ment :    Provided    further,   That   no   officer   above   the 

grade  of  colonel  shall  be  appointed  under  the  provisions  of 
this  Act. 

Sec.  6.  That  to  provide  the  stafif  officers  that  will  be  nec- 
essary in  the  various  staff  corps  and  departments  in  time  of 
war  or  while  war  is  imminent, the  President  is  author- 
ized to  appoint, such  number  of  volunteer  staff  officers 

of  grades  authorized  by  law  for  the  Regular  Army  as  he 
may  find  necessary  for  such  corps  and  departments :  Pro- 
vided, That  the  total  number  of  such  stafif  officers  so 
appointed,  including  all  such  officers  of  the  organized  militia 
called  into  the  military  service  of  the  United  States,  shall 
not  exceed  the  ratio  of  one  officer  to  200  enlisted  men  for 
all  militia  and  volunteer  forces  called  into  the  military  ser- 
vice of  the  United  States :  Provided  further.  That  the  num- 
ber of  volunteer  staff  officers  appointed  in  any  grade  in  the 
various  staff  corps  and  departments  shall  not  exceed  in  any 
stafif  corps  or  department  the  proportionate  strength  of  regu- 
lar officers    :     Provided   further,    volunteer 

chaplains 

Sec.  7.  That  in  appointing  the  volunteer  officers  author- 
ized by  this  Act,  the  President  may  select  them  from  the 
Regular  Army,  from  those  duly  qualified  and  registered 
pursuant  to  Section  23  of  the  Act  of  Congress  approved 
Jan.  21,  1903,  from  the  country  at  large,  from  the  organized 
land  militia  of  the  District  of  Columbia,  and,  upon  the 
recommendation  of  the  various  governors,  from  the  organ- 
ized land  militia  of  the  several  States  and  Territories  in 
proportion,  as  far  as  practicable,  to  their  respective  popula- 
tions,    Provided,  That  in  appointments  from  the  coun- 
try at  large  preference  shall  be  given  those  who  shall  have 
had  honorable  service  in  the  Regular  Army,  the  National 
Guard,  or  the  volunteer  forces,  or  who  shall  have  been 
graduated  from  educational  institutions  in  which  military 
instruction  is  compulsory :  Provided  further.  That  at  the 
same  time,  not  to  exceed  one  Regular  Army  officer  shall 
hold  a  volunteer  commission  in  any  one  battalion  of  volun- 
teer engineers  or  signal  troops,  or  in  any  one  battalion  of 
volunteer    field    artillery;    and    not    to    exceed    four    Regular 


47 

Army  officers  shall,  at  the  same  time,  hold  commissions  in 
any  one  regiment  of  volunteer  cavalry,  field  artillery,  or 
infantry,  or  in  any  twelve  companies  of  coast  artillery, 
including  their  field  and  staff :  And  provided  further,  That 
Regular  Army  officers  appointed  as  officers  of  volunteers 
under  this  Act  shall  not  thereby  vacate  their  Regular  Army 
commissions 

Sec.  8.  Temporary  vacancies  made  in  Army  by  appoint- 
ments of  officers  in  volunteers  shall  be  filled  by  temporary 
promotions.  Limit  of  temporary  appointments.  Permanent 
commissions,  etc.,  not  vacated. 

Sec.  9.  That  all  returns  and  muster  rolls  of  organizations 
of  the  volunteer  forces  and  of  militia  organizations  while  in 
the   service  of   the   United   States   shall  be  rendered  to  the 

Adjutant-General  of  the  Army,    And  regimental  and 

all  other  medical  officers  serving  with  volunteer  troops,  or 
with  militia  organizations  in  the  service  of  the  United  States, 
in  the  field  or  elsewhere  shall  keep  a  daily  record  of  all 
soldiers  reported  sick  or  wounded,  as  shown  by  the  morning 
calls  or  reports,  and  shall  deposit  such  reports,  with  other 
reports  provided  for  in  this  section,  in  the  Adjutant-General's 
Office,  as  provided  for  herein  for  other  reports,  returns,  and 
muster  rolls. 

Sec.  10.  That  in  time  of  war  or  while  war  is  imminent 
all  organizations  of  the  land  forces  in  the  military  service 
of  the  United  States  shall  be  recruited  and  maintained  as 
near  their  prescribed  strength  as  practicable.  Appointment 
of  volunteer  officers  for  duty  at  recruiting  rendezvous  and 
depots 

Sec.  11.     That  in  the  organization  of  a  recruiting  system, 

the  President  is  authorized  to  employ  retired  officers, 

non-commissioned  officers,  and  privates  of  the  Regular  Army, 
either  with  their  rank  on  the  retired  list  or,  in  the  case  of 
enlisted  men,  with  increased  non-commissioned  rank;  or  he 

may,    appoint   and   employ   retired   officers  below   the 

grade  of  colonel,  with  increased  volunteer  commissioned  rank 
not  to  exceed  in  the  case  of  any  officer  one  grade  above  that 
held  by  him  upon  the  retired  list,  or  retired  enlisted  men 
with  volunteer  commissioned  rank  not  above  the  grade  of 
first  lieutenant:  Provided,  That  retired  officers  and  enlisted 
men  while  thus  employed  shall  not  be  eligible  for  transfer 
to  the  field  units,  but  shall  receive  the  full  pay  and  allow- 
ances of  the  respective  grades  in  which  they  are  serving, 
whether  volunteer  or  regular,  in  lieu  of  their  retired  pay  and 
allowances :  Provided  further.  That  upon  the  termination 
of  the  duty  or,  in  case  of  those  given  volunteer  rank,  upon 


48 

muster  out  as  volunteers,  said  retired  ofificers  and  enlisted 
men  shall  revert  to   their   retired   status. 

Sec.  12.  That,  except  as  otherwise  specifically  prescribed 
by  law,  all  ofificers  provided  for  in  this  Act  shall  be  subject 
to  such  assignments  of  duty  and  such  transfers  as  the  Presi- 
dent may  direct :  Provided,  That  medical  officers  of  volun- 
teers when  detailed  as  consulting  surgeons  shall  not  exercise 
command  over  the  hospitals  to  which  they  may  be  assigned 
for  duty,  except  that  by  virtue  of  their  commissions  they 
may  command  all  enlisted  men ;  Provided  further.  That  med- 
ical inspectors  shall  be  detailed  for  duty  with  each  army, 
field  army,  or  army  corps,  and  division,  and  for  the  base 
and  lines  of  communications,  and  that  no  officer  shall  be 
detailed  for  duty  as  medical  inspector  except  he  be  experi- 
enced in  military  sanitation. 

Sec.  13.  That  all  officers  and  enlisted  men  of  the  volunteer 
forces  shall  be  in  all  respects  on  the  same  footing  as  to  pay, 
allowances,  and  pensions  as  officers  and  enlisted  men  of 
corresponding  grades  in  the  Regular  Army. 

Sec.  14.  That  all  laws  and  parts  of  laws  in  conflict  with 
the  provisions  of  this  Act  be,  and  the  same  are  hereby, 
repealed. 


AN  ACT  to  provide  for  recognising  the  services  of  certain 
officers  of  the  Army,  Navy,  and  Public  Health  Service 
for  their  services  in  connection  ivith  the  construction  of 
the  Panama  Canal,  to  extend  to  certain  of  such  officers 
the  thanks  of  Congress,  and  for  other  purposes. 
Approved,  March  4,  1915.    38.1  Stat.  1191. 

Sec.  5.  Provided,  That  the  officer  who  may  be  advanced 
and  appointed  major-general  in  the  Medical  Department, 
United  States  Army,  shall  thereupon  become  the  head  of 
such  department,  and  the  operation  of  so  much  of  Section  26, 
of  the  Act  of  Feb.  2,  1901,  as  limits  the  term  of  office  of  the 
head  of  the  Medical  Department,  United  States  Army,  shall 
be  suspended  during  the  incumbency  of  the  head  of  the 
department,  who  may  be  appointed  under  this  Act :  Provided, 
That  whenever  the  head  of  the  Medical  Department  appointed 
under  the  provisions  of  this  Act  shall  become  separated  from 
the  active  list  of  the  Army,  by  retirement  or  otherwise,  the 
extra  office  or  grade  to  which  he  shall  have  been  so  advanced 
or  appointed  shall  cease  and  determine,  and  thereafter  the 
rank  of  the  head  of  the  Medical  Department,  United  States 
Army,  shall  be  that  of  a  brigadier-general. 


49 

AN  ACT  for  making  further  and  more  effectual  provision 
for  the  national  defense,  and  for  other  purposes. 
Approved,  June  3,  1916.    29  Stat.  166. 

Sec.  2.  Composition  of  the  Regular  Army.  The  Regular 
Army  of  the  United  States,  including  the  existing  organiza- 
tions, shall   consist  of    a   Medical   Department    

Provided  further.  That  the  total  enlisted  force  of  the  line 
of  the  Regular  Army  excluding  the  enlisted  men  of  the  Med- 
ical  Department    shall   not   at   any   one    time,    except 

in  the  event  of  actual  or  threatened  war  or  similar  emergency 
in  which  the  public  safety  demands  it,  exceed  175,000  men. 

Sec.  3.  Composition  of  Brigades,  Divisions,  and  so  forth. 
The  mobile  troops  of  the  Regular  Army  of  the  United  States 
shall  be  organized,  so  far  as  practicable,  into  brigades  and 
divisions.  The  President  is  authorized,  in  time  of  actual  or 
threatened  hostilities,  or  when  in  his  opinion  the  interests 
of  the  public  service  demand  it,  to  organize  the  brigades  and 
divisions  into  such  army  corps  or  armies  as  may  be  neces- 
sary      The    typical    Infantry    division     shall    consist 

of    one  sanitary  train.     The  typical   Cavalry   division 

shall    consist    of     one    sanitary    train.      The    typical 

army    corps     shall    consist    of     sanitary    trains    as 

the    President    may   deem    necessary.      Each    sanitary 

train   shall  consist  of  such  oflficers  and  enlisted  men, 

and  shall  be  organized  as  the  President  may  prescribe,  

Nothing  herein  contained,  however,  shall  prevent  the  Presi- 
"dent  from  increasing  or  decreasing  the  number  of  organiza- 
tions prescribed  for  the  typical  brigades,  divisions,  and  army 
corps,  or  from  prescribing  new  and  different  organizations 
and   personnel  as   the  efficiency  of   the   service  may  require. 

Sec.  5 Provided,  That  no  officer  shall  be  detailed 

as  a  member  of  the  General  Staff  Corps,  other  than  the  Chief 
of  Staff  and  the  general  officers  herein  provided  for  as 
assistants  to  the  Chief  of  Staff,  -except  upon  the  recommenda- 
tion of  a  board  of  five  officers  not  below  the  rank  of  colonel, 
who  shall  be  selected  by  the  President  or  the  Secretary  of 
War,  and  neither  the  Chief  of  Staff  nor  more  than  two  other 
members  of  the  General  Staff  Corps,  nor  any  officer  not  a 
member  of  said  corps,  who  shall  have  been  stationed  or 
employed  on  any  duty  in  or  near  the  District  of  Columbia 
within  one  year  prior  to  the  date  of  convening  of  any  such 
board,  shall  be  detailed  as  a  member  thereof. 

Sec.  8.  The  Judge  Advocate  General's  Department. 
Provided  further,  That  so  much  of  the  Act  of  Con- 
gress approved  Aug.  24,  1912,  as  relates  to  the  detachment 
or   detail   of  officers   for   duty  in  the  Judge   Advocate   Gen- 


50 

eral's  Department  shall  hereafter  be  held  to  apply  to  the 
acting  judge  advocates  authorized  by  law;  and  hereafter  no 
officer  shall  be  or  remain  detached  from  command  or  assigned 
to  any  duty  or  station  with  intent  to  enable  or  aid  him  to 
pursue  the  study  of  law. 

Sec.  10.  The  Medical  Department.  The  Medical  Depart- 
ment shall  consist  of  one  Surgeon-General,  with  the  rank 
of  major-general  during  the  active  service  of  the  present 
incumbent  of  that  office,  and  thereafter  with  the  rank  of 
brigadier-general,  who  shall  be  chief  of  said  department, 
a  Medical  Corps,  a  Medical  Reserve  Corps  within  the  limit 
of  time  fixed  by  this  Act,  a  Dental  Corps,  a  Veterinary  Corps, 
an  enlisted  force,  the  Nurse  Corps  and  contract  surgeons  as 
now  authorized  by  law,  the  commissioned  officers  of  which 
shall  be  citizens  of  the  United  States. 

The  Medical  Corps  shall  consist  of  commissioned  officers 
below  the  grade  of  brigadier-general,  proportionally  dis- 
tributed among  the  several  grades  as  in  the  Medical  Corps 
now  established  by  law.  The  total  number  of  such  officers 
shall  approximately  be  equal  to,  but  not  exceed,  except  as 
hereinafter  provided,  seven  for  every  one  thousand  of  the 
total  enlisted  strength  of  the  Regular  Army  authorized  from 
time  to  time  by  law :  Provided,  That  if  by  reason  of  a 
reduction  by  law  in  the  authorized  enlisted  strength  of  the 
Army  aforesaid  the  total  number  of  officers  in  the  Medical 
Corps  commissioned  previously  to  such  reduction  shall  for 
the  time  being  exceed  the  equivalent  of  seven  to  one  thou- 
sand of  such  reduced  enlisted  strength  no  original  appoint- 
ment to  commissioned  rank  in  said  corps  shall  be  made  until 
the  total  number  of  commissioned  officers  thereof  shall  have 
been  reduced  below  the  equivalent  of  seven  to  the  thousand 
of  the  said  reduced  enlisted  strength,  nor  thereafter  so  as 
to  make  the  total  number  of  commissioned  officers  thereof 
in  excess  of  the  equivalent  of  seven  to  the  thousand  of  said 
reduced  enlisted  strength ;  and  no  promotion  shall  be  made 
above  the  grade  of  captain  in  said  corps  until  the  number  of 
officers  in  the  grade  above  that  of  captain  to  which  the 
promotion  is  due  shall  have  been  reduced  below  the  pro- 
portional number  authorized  for  such  grade  on  the  basis 
of  the  reduced  enlisted  strength,  nor  thereafter  so  as  to 
make  the  number  of  officers  in  such  grade  in  excess  of  the 
proportional  number  authorized  on  the  basis  of  said  reduced 
enlisted  strength :  Provided  further.  That  when  in  time  of 
war  the  Regular  Army  shall  have  been  increased  by  virtue 
of  the  provisions  of  this  or  any  other  Act,  the  m.,dical  offi- 
cers appointed  to  meet  such  increase  shall  be  honorably  dis- 


51 

charged  from  the  service  of  the  United  States  when  the 
reduction  of  the  enlisted  strength  of  the  Army  shall  take 
place:  Provided  further,  That  persons  hereafter  commis- 
sioned in  the  Medical  Corps  shall  be  citizens  of  the  United 
States  between  the  ages  of  22  and  30  years  and  shall  be 
promoted  to  the  grade  of  captain  upon  the  completion  of 
five  years'  service  in  the  Medical  Corps:  Provided  further, 
That  relative  rank  among  captains  in  the  Medical  Corps 
who  have  or  shall  have  attained  that  rank  by  operation  of 
law  after  a  period  of  service  fixed  thereby,  shall  be  deter- 
mined by  counting  all  the  service  rendered  by  them  as 
officers  in  said  corps  and  as  assistant  surgeons  in  the  Regu- 
lar Army,  subject,  however,  to  loss  of  files  by  reason  of 
sentence  of  court  martial  or  by  reason  of  failure  to  pass 
examination  for  promotion :  Provided  further.  That  here- 
after the  President  shall  be  authorized  to  detail  not  to 
exceed  five  officers  of  the  Medical  Department  of  the  Army 
for  duty  with  the  military  relief  division  of  the  American 
National  Red  Cross. 

The  enlisted  force  of  the  Medical  Department  shall  con- 
sist of  the  following  personnel,  who  shall  not  be  included 
in  the  effective  strength  of  the  Army  nor  counted  as  a  part 
of  the  enlisted  force  provided  by  law :  Master  hospital  ser- 
geants, hospital  sergeants,  sergeants  (first  class),  sergeants, 
corporals,  cooks,  horseshoers,  saddlers,  farriers,  mechanics, 
privates  (first  class),  and  privates:  (1)  Provided,  That  master 
hospital  sergeants  shall  be  appointed  by  the  Secretary  of 
War,  but  no  person  shall  be  appointed  master  hospital  ser- 
geant until  he  shall  have  passed  a  satisfactory  examination 
under  such  regulations  as  the  Secretary  of  War  may  pre- 
scribe before  a  board  of  one  or  more  medical  officers  as  to 
his  qualifications  for  the  position,  including  knowledge  of 
pharmacy,  and  demonstrated  his  fitness  therefor  by  service 
of  not  less  than  twelve  months  as  hospital  sergeant  or  ser- 
geant, first  class.  Medical  Department,  or  as  sergeant,  first 
class,  in  the  Medical  Corps  now  established  by  law ;  and  no 
person  shall  be  designated  for  such  examination  except  by 
written  authority  of  the  Surgeon-General:  (2)  Provided 
further.  That  original  enlistments  for  the  Medical  Department 
shall  be  made  in  the  grade  of  private,  and  reenlistments  and 
promotions  of  enlisted  men  therein,  except  as  hereinbefore 
prescribed,  and  transfers  thereto  from  the  enlisted  force  of 
the  line  or  other  staff  departments  or  corps  of  the  Army 
shall  be  governed  by  such  regulations  as  the  Secretary  of 
War  may  prescribe :  (3)  Provided  further.  That  the  enlisted 
men  of  the  Hospital  Corps  who  are  in  active  service  at  the 


52 

time  of  the  approval  of  this  act  are  hereby  transferred  to 
the  corresponding  grades  of  the  Medical  Department  estab- 
lished by  this  act :  (4)  Provided  further,  That  the  total 
number  of  enlisted  men  in  the  Medical  Department  shall  be 
approximately  equal  to,  but  not  exceed,  except  as  herein- 
after provided,  the  equivalent  of  5  per  centum  of  the  total 
enlisted  strength  of  the  Army  authorized  from  time  to  time 
by  law:  (5)  Provided  further.  That  in  time  of  actual  or 
threatened  hostilities,  the  Secretary  of  War  is  hereby  author- 
ized to  enlist  or  cause  to  be  enlisted  in  the  Medical  Depart- 
ment such  additional  number  of  men  as  the  service  may 
require :  (6)  Provided  further.  That  the  number  of  enlisted 
men  in  each  of  the  several  grades  designated  below  shall 
not  exceed,  except  as  hereinafter  provided,  the  following 
percentages  of  the  total  authorized  enlisted  strength  of  the 
Medical  Department,  to  wit :  Master  hospital  sergeants,  one- 
half  of  1  per  centum ;  hospital  sergeants,  one-half  of  1  per 
centum;  sergeants,  first  class,  7  per  centum;  sergeants.  11 
per  centum ;  corporals,  5  per  centum ;  and  cooks.  6  per 
centum:  (7)  Provided  further.  That  the  number  of  horse- 
shoers,  saddlers,  farriers,  and  mechanics  in  the  Medical 
Department  shall  not  exceed  one  to  each  authorized  ambu- 
lance company  or  like  organization :  (8)  Provided  further, 
That  in  said  department  the  number  of  privates,  first 
class,  shall  not  exceed  25  per  centum  of  the  number  of 
privates :  (9)  Provided  further.  That  if  by  reason  of  a  reduc- 
tion by  operation  of  law  in  the  authorized  enlisted  strength 
of  the  Army  aforesaid  the  number  of  non-commissioned 
officers  of  any  grade  in  the  Medical  Department  whose  war- 
rants were  issued  previously  to  such  reduction  shall  for  the 
time  being  exceed  the  percentage  hereinabove  specified  for 
such  grade,  no  promotion  to  such  grade  shall  be  made  until 
the  percentage  of  non-commissioned  officers  therein  shall 
have  been  reduced  below  that  authorized  for  such  grade  on 
the  basis  of  the  said  reduced  enlisted  strength,  nor  there- 
after so  as  to  make  the  percentage  of  non-commissioned 
olficers  therein  in  excess  of  the  percentage  authorized  on  the 
basis  of  the  said  reduced  enlisted  strength ;  but  non-com- 
missioned officers  may  be  re-enlisted  in  the  grades  held  by 
them  previously  to  such  reduction  regardless  of  the  percent- 
ages aforesaid ;  and  when  under  this  provision  the  number 
of  non-commissioned  officers  of  any  grade  exceeds  the  per- 
centage specified,  any  non-commissioned  officer  thereof,  not 
under  charges,  may  be  discharged  on  his  own  application : 
(10)  Provided  further,  That  privates,  first  class,  of  the  Medi- 
cal Department  shall  be  eligible  for  ratings  for  additional  pay 


53 

as  follows:  As  dispensary  assistant,  $2  a  month;  as  nurse, 
$3  a  month;  as  surgical  assistant,  $5  a  month:  (11)  Provided 
further,  That  no  enlisted  man  shall  receive  more  than  one 
rating  for  additional  pay  under  the  provisions  of  this  section, 
nor  shall  any  enlisted  man  receive  any  additional  pay  under 
such  rating  unless  he  shall  have  actually  performed  the  duties 
for  which  he  shall  be  rated. 

The  President  is  hereby  authorized  to  appoint  and  com- 
mission, by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Senate, 
dental  surgeons,  who  are  citizens  of  the  United  States 
between  the  ages  of  21  and  27  years,  at  the  rate  of  one  for 
each  one  thousand  enlisted  men  of  the  line  of  the  Army. 
Dental  surgeons  shall  have  the  rank,  pay,  and  allowances  of 
first  lieutenants  until  they  have  completed  eight  years'  service. 
Dental  surgeons  of  more  than  eight  but  less  than  twenty- 
four  years'  service  shall,  subject  to  such  examination  as  the 
President  may  prescribe,  have  the  rank,  pay,  and  allowances 
of  captains.  Dental  surgeons  of  more  than  twenty-four  years' 
service  shall,  subject  to  such  examination  as  the  President 
may  prescribe,  have  the  rank,  pay,  and  allowances  of  major: 
Provided,  That  the  total  number  of  dental  surgeons  with 
rank,  pay,  and  allowances  of  major  shall  not  at  any  time 
exceed  fifteen :  And  provided  further.  That  all  laws  relat- 
ing to  the  examination  of  officers  of  the  Medical  Corps  for 
promotion  shall  be  applicable  to  dental  surgeons. 

Authority  is  hereby  given  to  the  Secretary  of  War  to 
grant  permission,  by  revocable  license,  to  the  American 
National  Red  Cross  to  erect  and  maintain  on  any  military 
reservations  within  the  jurisdiction  of  the  United  States 
buildings  suitable  for  the  storage  of  supplies,  or  to  occupy 
for  that  purpose  buildings  erected  by  the  United  States, 
under  such  regulations  as  the  Secretary  of  War  may  pre- 
scribe, such  supplies  to  be  available  for  the  aid  of  the  civilian 
population  in  case  of  serious  national  disaster. 

Sec.  16.  Veterinarians.  The  President  is  hereby  author- 
ized, by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  Senate,  to 
appoint  veterinarians  and  assistant  veterinarians  in  the  Army, 
not  to  exceed,  including  veterinarians  now  in  service,  two 
such  officers  for  each  regiment  of  cavalry,  one  for  every 
three  batteries  of  field  artillery,  one  for  each  mounted 
battalion  of  engineers,  seventeen  as  inspectors  of  horses  and 
mules  and  as  veterinarians  in  the  Quartermaster  Corps,  and 
seven  as  inspectors  of  meats  for  the  Quartermaster  Corps ; 
and  said  veterinarians  and  assistant  veterinarians  shall  be 
citizens  of  the  United  States  and  shall  constitute  the  Vet- 
erinary Corps  and  shall  be  a  part  of  the  Medical  Department 
of  the  Army. 


54 

Hereafter  a  candidate  for  appointment  as  assistant  vet- 
erinarian must  be  a  citizen  of  the  United  States,  between 
the  ages  of  21  and  27  years,  a  graduate  of  a  recognized  vet- 
erinary college  or  university,  and  shall  not  be  appointed  until 
he  shall  have  passed  a  satisfactory  examination  as  to  char- 
acter, physical  condition,  general  education,  and  professional 
qualifications. 

An  assistant  veterinarian  appointed  under  this  Act  shall, 
for  the  first  five  years  of  service  as  such,  have  the  rank,  pay, 
and  allowances  of  second  lieutenant ;  that  after  five  years 
of  service  he  shall  have  the  rank,  pay,  and  allowances  of 
first  lieutenant;  that  after  fifteen  years  of  service  he  shall 
be  promoted  to  a  veterinarian  with  the  rank,  pay,  and  allow- 
ances of  captain,  and  that  after  twenty  years'  service  he 
shall  have  the  rank,  pay,  and  allowances  of  a  major:  Pro- 
vided, That  any  assistant  veterinarian,  in  order  to  be  pro- 
moted as  hereinbefore  provided,  must  first  pass  a  satisfac- 
tory examination,  under  such  rules  as  the  President  may 
prescribe,  as  to  professional  qualifications  and  adaptability 
for  the  military  service ;  and  if  such  assistant  veterinarian 
shall  be  found  deficient  at  such  examination  he  shall  be 
discharged  from  the  Army  with  one  year's  pay. 

The  veterinarians  of  cavalry  and  field  artillery  now  in 
the  Army,  together  with  such  veterinarians  of  the  Quarter- 
master Corps  as  are  now  employed  in  said  corps,  who  at 
the  date  of  the  approval  of  this  Act  shall  have  had  less  than 
five  years'  governmental  service,  may  be  appointed  in  the 
Veterinary  Corps  as  assistant  veterinarians  with  the  rank, 
pay,  and  allowances  of  second  lietenant;  those  who  shall 
have  had  over  five  years  of  such  service  may  be  appointed  in 
said  corps  as  assistant  veterinarians  with  the  rank,  pay,  and 
allowances  of  first  lieutenants ;  and  those  who  shall  have  had 
over  fifteen  years  of  such  service  may  be  appointed  in  said 
corps  as  veterinarians  with  rank,  pay,  and  allowances  of 
captain :  Provided,  That  no  such  appointment  of  any  vet- 
erinarian shall  be  made  unless  he  shall  first  pass  satisfac- 
torily a  practical  professional  and  physical  examination  as 
to  his  fitness  for  the  military  service :  Provided  further. 
That  veterinarians  now  in  the  Army  or  in  the  employ  of  the 
Quartermaster  Corps  who  shall  fail  to  pass  the  prescribed 
physical  examination  because  of  disability  incident  to  the 
service  and  sufficient  to  prevent  them  from  the  performance 
trf  duty  valuable  to  the  government  shall  be  placed  upon  the 
retired  list  of  the  Army  with  75  per  centum  of  the  pay  to 
which  they  would  have  been  entitled  if  appointed  in  the 
Veterinary   Corps   as   hereinbefore   prescribed. 


55 

The  Secretary  of  War,  upon  recommendation  of  the 
Surgeon-General  of  the  Army,  may  appoint  in  the  Veterinary 
Corps,  for  such  time  as  their  services  may  be  required,  such 
number  of  reserve  veterinarians  as  may  be  necessary  to 
attend  public  animals  pertaining  to  the  Quartermaster  Corps. 
Reserve  veterinarians  so  employed  shall  have  the  pay  and 
allowances  of  second  lieutenant  during  such  employment  and 
no  longer :  Provided,  That  such  reserve  veterinarians  shall 
be  graduates  of  a  recognized  veterinary  college  or  university 
and  shall  pass  a  satisfactory  examination  as  to  character, 
physical  condition,  general  education,  and  professional  quali- 
fications in  like  manner  as  hereinbefore  required  of  assistant 
veterinarians ;  such  reserve  veterinarians  shall  constitute  a 
list  of  eligibles  for  appointment  as  asssistant  veterinarians, 
subject  to  all  the  conditions  hereinbefore  prescribed  for  the 
appointment  of   assistant  veterinarians. 

Within  a  limit  of  time  to  be  fixed  by  the  Secretary  of 
War,  candidates  for  appointment  as  assistant  veterinarians 
who  shall  have  passed  satisfactorily  the  examinations  pre- 
scribed for  that  grade  by  this  Act  shall  be  appointed,  in  the 
order  of  merit  in  which  they  shall  have  passed  such  exam- 
ination, to  vacancies  as  they  occur,  such  appointments  to  be 
for  a  probationary  period  of  two  years,  after  which  time,  if 
the  services  of  the  probationers  shall  have  been  satisfactory, 
they  shall  be  permanently  appointed  with  rank  to  date  from 
the  dates  of  rank  of  their  probationary  appointments.  Pro- 
bationary veterinarians  whose  services  are  found  unsatis- 
factory shall  be  discharged  at  any  time  during  the  probation- 
ary period,  or  at  the  end  thereof,  and  shall  have  no  further 
claims  against  the  government  on  account  of  their  proba- 
tionary service. 

The  Secretary  of  War  shall  from  time  to  time  appoint 
boards  of  examiners  to  conduct  the  veterinary  examinations 
hereinbefore  prescribed,  each  of  said  boards  to  consist  of 
three  medical  officers  and  two  veterinarians. 

Sec.  2>7.  The  Officers'  Reserve  Corps.  For  the  purpose 
of  securing  a  reserve  of  officers  available  for  service  as 
temporary  officers  in  the  Regular  Army,  as  provided  for  in 
this  Act  and  in  Section  8  of  the  Act  approved  April  25,  1914, 
as  officers  of  the  Quartermaster  Corps  and  other  stafif  corps 
and  departments,  as  officers  for  recruit  rendezvous  and  depots, 
and  as  officers  of  volunteers,  there  shall  be  organized,  under 
such  rules  and  regulations  as  the  President  may  prescribe 
not  inconsistent  with  the  provisions  of  this  Act,  an  Officers' 
Reserve  Corps  of  the  Regular  Army.  Said  corps  shall  con- 
sist of  sections  corresponding  to  the  various  arms,  staff  corps, 


56 

and  departments  of  the  Regular  Army ;  except  as  otherwise 
herein  provided,  a  member  of  the  Officers'  Reserve  Corps 
shall  not  be  subject  to  call  for  service  in  time  of  peace,  and 
whenever  called  upon  for  service  shall  not,  without  his  con- 
sent, be  so  called  in  a  lower  grade  than  that  held  by  him  in 
said  Reserve  Corps. 

All  persons  now  carried  as  duly  qualified  and  registered 
pursuant  to  Section  23  of  the  Act  of  Congress  approved 
Jan.  21,  1903,  shall,  for  a  period  of  three  years  after  the 
passage  of  this  Act,  be  eligible  for  appointment  in  the 
Officers'  Reserve  Corps  in  the  section  corresponding  to  the 
arm,  corps,  or  department  for  which  they  have  been  found 
qualified,  without  further  examination,  except  a  physical 
examination,  and  subject  to  the  limitations  as  to  age  and 
rank  herein  prescribed :  Provided,  That  any  person  carried 
as  qualified  and  registered  in  the  grade  of  colonel  or  lieu- 
tenant-colonel pursuant  to  the  provisions  of  said  Act  on  the 
date  when  this  Act  becomes  effective  may  be  commissioned 
and  recommissioned  in  the  Officers'  Reserve  Corps  with  the 
rank  for  which  he  has  been  found  qualified  and  registered, 
but  when  such  person  thereafter  shall  become  separated 
from  the  Officers'  Reserve  Corps  for  any  reason  the  vacancy 
so  caused  shall  not  be  filled,  and  such  office  shall  cease  and 
determine. 

No  person  shall,  except  as  hereinafter  provided,  be  appointed 
or  reappointed  a  second  lieutenant  in  the  Officers'  Reserve 
Corps  after  he  shall  have  reached  the  age  of  32  years,  a  first 
lieutenant  after  he  shall  have  reached  the  age  of  36,  a  cap- 
tain after  he  shall  have  reached  the  age  of  40  years,  or  a 
major  after  he  shall  have  reached  the  age  of  45  years.  When 
an  officer  of  the  Reserve  Corps  shall  reach  the  age  limit 
fixed  for  appointment  or  reappointment  in  the  grade  in  which 
commissioned  he  shall  be  entitled  to  retain  his  official  title 
and,  on  occasions  of  ceremony,  to  wear  the  uniform  of  the 
highest  grade  he  shall  have  held  in  the  Officers'  Reserve 
Corps :  Provided,  That  nothing  in  the  foregoing  provisions 
as  to  the  ages  of  officers  shall  apply  to  the  appointment  or 
reappointment  of  officers  of  the  quartermaster,  engineer, 
ordnance,  signal,  judge  advocate,  and  medical  sections  of 
said   Reserve  Corps. 

One  year  after  the  passage  of  this  Act  the  Medical  Reserve 
Corps,  as  now  constituted  by  law,  shall  cease  to  exist.  Mem- 
bers thereof  may  be  commissioned  in  the  Officers'  Reserve 
Corps,  subject  to  the  provisions  of  this  Act,  or  may  be  honor- 
ably discharged  from  the  service.  The  Secretary  of  War 
may,  in  time  of  peace,  order  first  lieutenants  of  the  medical 


57 

section  of  the  Officers'  Reserve  Corps,  with  their  consent, 
to  active  duty  in  the  service  of  the  United  States  in  such 
numbers  as  the  public  interests  may  require  and  the  funds 
appropriated  may  permit,  and  may  relieve  them  from  such 
duty  when  their  services  are  no  longer  necessary.  While 
on  such  duty  they  shall  receive  the  pay  and  allowances, 
including  pay  for  periods  of  sickness  and  leaves  of  absence, 
of  officers  of  corresponding  rank  and  length  of  active  service 
in  the  Regular  Army. 

Sec.  38.  The  Officers'  Reserve  Corps  in  War.  In  time 
of  actual  or  threatened  hostilities  the  President  may  order 
officers  of  the  Officers'  Reserve  Corps,  subject  to  such  sub- 
sequent physical  examinations  as  he  shall  prescribe,  to  tem- 
porary duty  with  the  Regular  Army  in  grades  thereof,  which 
cannot,  for  the  time  being,  be  filled  by  promotion,  or  as 
officers  in  volunteer  or  other  organizations,  that  may  be 
authorized  by  law,  or  as  officers  at  recruit  rendezvous  and 
depots,  or  on  such  other  duty  as  the  President  may  pre- 
scribe. While  such  reserve  officers  are  on  such  service  they 
shall,  by  virtue  of  their  commissions  as  reserve  officers,  exer- 
cise command  appropriate  to  their  grade  and  rank  in  the 
organizations  to  which  they  may  be  assigned,  and  shall  be 
entitled  to  the  pay  and  allowances  of  the  corresponding 
grades  in  the  Regular  Army,  with  increase  of  pay  for  length 
of  active  service,  as  allowed  by  law  for  officers  of  the 
Regular  Army,  from  the  date  upon  which  they  shall  be 
required  by  the  terms  of  their  orders  to  obey  the  same : 
Provided,  That  officers  so  ordered  to  active  service  shall 
take  temporary  rank  among  themselves,  and  in  their  grades 
in  the  organizations  to  which  assigned,  according  to  the  dates 
of  orders  placing  them  on  active  service ;  and  they  may  be 
promoted,  in  accordance  with  such  rank,  to  vacancies  in 
volunteer  organizations  or  to  temporary  vacancies  in  the 
Regular  Army  thereafter  occurring  in  the  organizations  in 
which  they  shall  be  serving:  Provided  further.  That  offi- 
cers of  the  Officers'  Reserve  Corps  shall  not  be  entitled  to 
retirement  or  retired  pay,  and  shall  be  entitled  to  pension 
only  for  disability  incurred  in  the  line  of  duty  and  while 
in  active  service. 

Any  officer  who,  while  holding  a  commission  in  the  Officers' 
Reserve  Corps,  shall  be  ordered  to  active  service  by  the 
Secretary  of  War,  shall,  from  the  time  he  shall  be  required 
by  the  terms  of  his  order  to  obey  the  same,  be  subject  to 
the  laws  and  regulations  for  the  government  of  the  Army 
of  the  United  States,  in  so  far  as  they  are  applicable  to 
officers  whose  permanent  retention  in  the  military  service 
is  not  contemplated. 


58 

Sec.  39.  Instruction  of  Officers  of  the  Officers'  Reserve 
Corps.  To  the  extent  provided  for  from  time  to  time  by 
appropriations  for  this  specific  purpose,  the  Secretary  of 
War  is  authorized  to  order  reserve  officers  to  duty  with  troops 
or  at  field  exercises,  or  for  instruction,  for  periods  not  to 
exceed  fifteen  days  in  any  one  calendar  year,  and  while  so 
serving  such  officers  shall  receive  the  pay  and  allowances 
of  their  respective  grades  in  the  Regular  Army:  Provided, 
That  with  the  consent  of  the  reserve  officers  concerned,  and 
within  the  limit  of  funds  available  for  the  purpose,  such 
periods  of  duty  may  be  extended  for  reserve  officers  as  the 
Secretary  of  War  may  direct :  Provided  further,  That  in 
time  of  actual  or  threatened  hostilities,  after  all  available 
officers  of  any  section  of  the  Officers'  Reserve  Corps  corre- 
sponding to  any  arm,  corps,  or  department  of  the  Regular 
Army  shall  have  been  ordered  into  active  service,  officers 
of  volunteers  may  be  appointed  in  such  arm,  corps,  or 
department  as  may  be  authorized  by  law :  Provided  further. 
That  nothing  herein  shall  operate  to  prevent  the  appointment 
of  any  officer  of  the  Regular  Army  as  an  officer  of  volun- 
teers before  all  the  officers  of  the  Officers'  Reserve  Corps 
or  any  section  thereof  shall  have  been  ordered  into  active 
service :  And  provided  further,  That  in  determining  the 
relative  rank  and  the  right  to  retirement  of  an  officer  of 
the  Regular  Army,  active  duty  performed  by  him  while 
serving  in  the  Officers'  Reserve  Corps  shall  not  be  reckoned. 

Sec.  40.  The  Reserve  Officers*  Training  Corps.  The 
President  is  hereby  authorized  to  establish  and  maintain  in 
civil  educational  institutions  a  Reserve  Officers'  Training 
Corps,  which  shall  consist  of  a  senior  division  organized  at 
universities  and  colleges  requiring  four  years  of  collegiate 
study  for  a  degree,  including  state  universities  and  those 
state  institutions  that  are  required  to  provide  instruction  in 
military  tactics  under  the  provisions  of  the  Act  of  Congress 
of  July  2,  1862,  donating  lands  for  the  establishment  of 
colleges  where  the  leading  object  shall  be  practical  instruc- 
tion in  agriculture  and  the  mechanic  arts,  including  military 
tactics,  and  a  junior  division  organized  at  all  other  public 
or  private  educational  institutions,  except  that  units  of  the 
senior  division  may  be  organized  at  those  essentially  mili- 
tary schools  which  do  not  confer  an  academic  degree  but 
which,  as  a  result  of  the  annual  inspection  of  such  institu- 
tions by  the  War  Department,  are  specially  designated  by 
the  Secretary  of  War  as  qualified  for  units  of  the  senior 
division,  and  each  division  shall  consist  of  units  of  the  sev- 
eral arms  or  corps  in  such  number  and  of  such  strength  as 
the  President  may  prescribe. 


59 

Sec.    54.     Training   Camps.     The    Secretary    of    War    is 

hereby    authorized    to    furnish,    at    the    expense    of 

the    United     States,     medical    supplies     to    persons 

receiving  instruction  at  said  camps  during  the  period  of  their 
attendance  thereat,  to  authorize  such  expenditures,  from 
proper  Army  appropriations,  as  he  may  deem  necessary  for 
water,  fuel,  light,  temporary  structures,  not  including  quar- 
ters  for  officers  not  barracks   for  men 

Sec.  55.  The  Enlisted  Reserve  Corps.  For  the  purpose 
of  securing  an  additional  reserve  of  enlisted  men  for  mili- 
tary   service     with    the     Medical     Departments    of 

the  Regular  Army,  an  Enlisted  Reserve  Corps,  to  consist  of 
such  number  of  enlisted  men  of  such  grade  or  grades  as  may 
be  designated  by  the  President  from  time  to  time,  is  hereby 
authorized,  such  authorization  to  be  effective  on  and  after 
the  first  day  of  July,  1916. 


AN  ACT  making  appropriations  for  the  support  of  the  Army 
for  the  fiscal  year  ending  June  30,  1917,  and  for  other 
purposes.    Approved,  Aug.  29,  1916.    39  Stat.  619. 

United  States  Service  Schools:  To  provide  means  for  the 
theoretical    and    practical    instruction    at    the    Army    service 

schools    including    the     Correspondence    School    for 

Medical    Officers     by    the    purchase    of    textbooks, 

books  of  reference,  scientific  and  professional  papers,  the 
purchase  of  modern  instruments  and  material  for  theoretical 
and  practical  instruction 

National  Guard.  Arming,  equipping  and  training  the 
National  Guard.  To  provide  for  the  procurement  of  forage, 
bedding,  shoeing,  veterinary  service,  and  supplies  for  horses 
that  may  be  owned  by,  or  issued  to  organizations  of  the 
National  Guard,  $25,000. 

To  provide  for  the  compensation  of  competent  help  for 
the  care  of  material,  animals,  and  equipment  thereof,  under 
such  regulations  as  the  Secretary  of  War  may  prescribe: 
Provided,  That  the  men  to  be  compensated,  not  to  exceed 
five  for  each  battery,  troop,  or  company,  shall  be  duly  enlisted 
therein  and  shall  be  detailed  by  the  battery,  troop,  or  company 
commander  under  such  regulations  as  the  Secretary  of  War 
may  prescribe,  and  shall  be  paid  by  the  United  States  dis- 
bursing officer  in  each  state,  territory,  and  the  District  of 
Columbia,  $25,000 

Sec.  2.  That  a  Council  of  National  Defense  is  hereby 
established,  for  the  coordination  of  industries  and  resources 
for  the  national  security  and  welfare,  to  consist  of  the  Sec- 


60 

retary  of  War,  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  the  Secretary  of 
the  Interior,  the  Secretary  of  Agriculture,  the  Secretary  of 
Commerce,  and  the  Secretary  of  Labor. 

That  the  Council  of  National  Defense  shall  nominate  to 
the  President,  and  the  President  shall  appoint,  an  advisory 
commission,  consisting  of  not  more  than  seven  persons,  each 
of  whom  shall  have  special  knowledge  of  some  industry, 
public  utility,  or  the  development  of  some  natural  resource, 
or  be  otherwise  specially  qualified,  in  the  opinion  of  the  coun- 
cil, for  the  performance  of  the  duties  hereinafter  provided. 
The  members  of  the  advisory  commission  shall  serve  without 
compensation,  but  shall  be  allowed  actual  expenses  of  travel 
and  subsistence  when  attending  meetings  of  the  commission 
or  engaged  in  investigations  pertaining  to  its  activities.  The 
advisory  commission  shall  hold  such  meetings  as  shall  be 
called  by  the  council  or  be  provided  by  the  rules  and  regu- 
lations adopted  by  the  council  for  the  conduct  of  its  work. 

That  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Council  of  National 
Defense  to  supervise  and  direct  investigations  and  make 
recommendations  to  the  President  and  the  heads  of  execu- 
tive departments  as  to  the  location  of  railroads  with  refer- 
ence to  the  frontier  of  the  United  States  so  as  to  render 
possible  expeditious  concentration  of  troops  and  supplies 
to  points  of  defense;  the  coordination  of  military,  industrial, 
and  commercial  purposes  in  the  location  of  extensive  high- 
ways and  branch  lines  of  railroad;  the  utilization  of  water- 
ways; the  mobilization  of  military  and  naval  resources  for 
defense;  the  increase  of  domestic  production  of  articles  and 
materials  essential  to  the  support  of  armies  and  of  the  people 
during  the  interruption  of  foreign  commerce;  the  develop- 
ment of  seagoing  transportation ;  data  as  to  amounts,  loca- 
tion, method  and  means  of  production,  and  availability  of 
military  supplies;  the  giving  of  information  to  producers 
and  manufacturers  as  to  the  class  of  supplies  needed  by  the 
military  and  other  services  of  the  government,  the  require- 
ments relating  thereto,  and  the  creation  of  relations  which 
will  render  possible  in  time  of  need  the  immediate  concen- 
tration and  utilization  of  the  resources  of  the  nation. 

That  the  Council  of  National  Defense  shall  adopt  rules 
and  regulations  for  the  conduct  of  its  work,  which  rules 
and  regulations  shall  be  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Presi- 
dent, and  shall  provide  for  the  work  of  the  advisory  com- 
mission to  the  end  that  the  special  knowledge  of  such  com- 
mission may  be  developed  by  suitable  investigation,  research, 
and  inquiry  and  made  available  in  conference  and  leport  for 
the  use  of  the  council ;  and  the  council  may  organize  sub- 


61 

ordinate  bodies  for  its  assistance  in  special  investigations, 
either  by  the  employment  of  experts  or  by  the  creation  of 
committees  of  specially  qualified  persons  to  serve  without 
compensation,  but  to  direct  the  investigations  of  experts  so 
employed 


[PUBLIC— NO.  86— 65TH   CONGRESS] 
[H.  R.  4897] 

AN  ACT  to  provide  for  the  promotion  of  first  lieutenants 

in  the  Regular  Army  and  National  Guard  to   the  grade 

of  captain,  and  respecting  the  Dental  Corps  of  the  Army 

and  medical  and  dental  students,  and  for  other  purposes. 

Approved,  Oct.  6,  1917. 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives 

of  the  United  States  of  America  in  Congress  assembled,  That 

during  the  existing  emergency  first  lieutenants  in  the  Medical 

Corps  of  the  Regular  Army  and  of  the  National  Guard  shall 

be  eligible  to  promotion  as  captain  upon  such  examinations 

as  may  be  prescribed  by  the  Secretary  of  War. 

Hereafter  the  Dental  Corps  of  the  Army  shall  consist  of 
commissioned  officers  of  the  same  grade  and  proportionally 
distributed  among  such  grades  as  are  now  or  may  be  here- 
after provided  by  law  for  the  Medical  Corps,  who  shall  have 
the  rank,  pay,  promotion  and  allowances  of  officers  of  cor- 
responding grades  in  the  Medical  Corps,  including  the  right 
to  retirement  as  in  the  case  of  other  officers,  and  there  shall 
be  one  dental  officer  for  every  thousand  of  the  total  strength 
of  the  Regular  Army  authorized  from  time  to  time  by  law: 
Provided  further,  That  dental  examining  and  review  boards 
shall  consist  of  one  officer  of  the  Medical  Corps  and  two 
officers  of  the  Dental  Corps:  Provided  further,  That  imme- 
diately following  the  approval  of  this  Act  all  dental  sur- 
geons then  in  active  service  shall  be  recommissioned  in  the 
Dental  Corps  in  the  grades  herein  authorized  in  the  order 
of  their  seniority  and  without  loss  of  pay  or  allowances  or 
of  relative  rank  in  the  Army:  And  provided  further,  That 
no  dental  surgeon  shall  be  recommissioned  who  has  not  been 
confirmed  by  the  Senate. 

All  regulations  concerning  the  enlistment  of  medical  stu- 
dents in  the  Enlisted  Reserve  Corps  and  their  continuance 
in  their  college  course  while  subject  to  call  to  active  service, 
shall  apply  similarly  to  dental  students. 


INDEX 


Ambulances,  to  establish  a   system  of,  in  armies    24 

American  National  Red  Cross,  to  provide  for  the  use  of 43 

Apothecary-general,  limitation  of  term  of  office 12 

Appropriation    for   naval   service    44 

— for   civil    expenses    44 

Army,    appropriation    for    Medical    Museum    and    Library    of    Sur- 
geon-General's   Office     29 

— to    augment    4,    6,       7 

■ — better  organization  of  line  of 33 

— hospital    stewards    in     37-39 

— to  increase  efficiency  of  Medical  Corps  of  25 

— to    increase    efficiency    of 33-34 

— to    increase    efficiency    of    Medical    Department    of 37-39 

— officers   in   hospital    department   of   southern    1 

— organization     of     15 

— pay  of 10-11 

— provisional    3 

— to  reduce  number  and  increase  efficiency  of  Medical  Corps  of..     29 

— to  regulate   Medical   Department  of   12 

— regular,  and  National  Guard  and  Dental  Corps 61 

— reorganizing  Staff  Corps  of 27-28 

— reorganizing    Staff   Corps   of,    suspended   as   applies   to   contract 

surgeons    28 

—support  of   15,  25-26,  27,  31,  36,  37,  40-42,  59-61 

Artillerists  and  engineers,  to  provide  additional  regiment  of 3 

— for    raising    and    organizing    corps    of    3 

Assistant   surgeons,   duties   of,   for   relief  of  persons   who   have  per- 
formed        24 

— number  of,  increased   13 

— pay  of   1,     13 

— Powell,  Dr.   Junius   L.,  appointed  as    29 

Board  of  Health,  National,  to  establish   30 

— National,  to  provide  office  rooms  for  30 

Cavalry  forces,  to  improve  organization  of   23 

Chaplains,  additional,  of  the  Army 16 

— appointment  of,   of  hospital    21 

Cholera,    Secretary   of   War   authorized    to   detail   medical   officer   to 

report  upon  causes  of  epidemic  27,     28 

Clothing,  extra,  for  sick,  wounded  and  other  soldiers 22 

Commissary's  and   Quartermaster's  Departments,  powers  and  duties    1-2 
Contract  Surgeons,  reorganizing  Staff  Corps  of  Army,  suspended  as 

applies   to    28 

Convalescent,    camps    and    hospitals,    inspection    of 22-23 

Corps,  dental   61 

— female  nurse,  serving  in  Alaska   43 

— of  engineers,  to  promote  efficiency  of 23 

— Medical,  of  Army,  to  increase  efficiency  of 25 

— Staff,  of  Army,  reorganizing   27-28 

— Staff,  of  Army,  reorganizing,  suspended  as  to  contract  surgeons.     28 

Defense,  national,  to   make  provision   for    49-59 

Dental  Corps   61 


64 

Discharge  of  disabled  soldiers  from  Army   22-23 

— for  physical   disability    20-21 

Diseases,  to  prevent  infectious,  in  United  States 30 

Duties  of   assistant   surgeons,    for   relief   of   persons   who    have   per- 
formed        24 

Efficiency  of  Army,  to  increase 34 

— of  Medical  Corps  of  Army,  to  increase 25 

— of  Medical  Corps  of  Army,  to  reduce  number  and  increase....      29 

— of  Medical  Department  of  Army,  to  increase 37-39 

— of    United    States    Marine    Hospital    Service,    to    increase    and 

change  name  of 35 

— of     permanent     military     establishment     of     United     States,     to 

increase     34-35 

Epidemic,   report  on  causes  of,  cholera    27,     28 

Female  nurse  corps,  relative  to,  serving  in  Alaska   43 

Forces,  national,  for  calling  out    23 

—volunteer,  to  provide  for  raising 44-48 

Frontiers    of    United    States,    protection    of 2 

General   staff,   organization   of    10,     11 

Half  pay,  to  widows  or  orphans   16 

Hospital,  accounts.  Dr.  J.  Morgan 1 

— Corps,  to  organize,  of  Army   31 

— Department,  officers  in    1 

— stewards  in  Army   33-34 

Infectious,  to  prevent,  diseases  in  United  States 30 

Inspection,  of  convalescent  camps  and  hospitals   22-23 

Library  of  Surgeon-General's  office,  appropriation  for  29 

Lieutenant,    for   promotion    of    first,    in    regular   Army    and    National 

Guard  and   respecting  Dental   Corps   61 

Limitation,  to  limit  term  of  office 12 

Line  of  Army,  better  organization  of 33 

Mate,  to  be  furnished   1 

Medical  and   Surgical,  history  of  rebellion    26-27 

— appointments  and  promotions  in.  Department  of  Army 26 

- — Corps  of   Army,  to  increase  efficiency  of 25 

— Corps  of  Army,  act  to  reduce  number  and  increase -efficiency  of.     29 

— Department  of  Army,  to  increase  efficiency  of 37-39 

— Department  of  Army,  to  regulate  appointments  and  promotions.  .      12 

— Establishment,   to  regulate    4-6 

— and   Hospital   Departments,   increase  and   organization  of 17 

— officers  of   the  Army,  to  define   grade   of 32 

— officer  detailed  to  report  on  cholera 27,     28 

— officers    of    volunteer    service,    additional    21 

— to  reorganize  and  increase.  Department  of  19,     20 

— Staff,   increase   of    16,     17 

— storekeepers  and  chaplains  of  hospitals,  appointment  of 21 

Military  asylum  for  invalid  and  disabled  soldiers   17 

— Establishment  of  United  States,  laws  of 3 

— Establishment    of   United    States,   to    increase 14 

— Establishment     of     United     States,     supplementary     to     act     to 

increase    IS.     18 

— Establishment  of  United   States,  better  organization  of 18 

— force,    additional,    to    raise 8-9,     15 

— peace   Establishment  of   United    States 7^8,     13 

— permanent.    Establishment    of    United    States,    to    increase    effi- 
ciency   of    34-35 

Militia,   calling  forth  of   22 


65 

National   Board  of  Health,  to  establish  a 30 

— defense,   to   make   provision   for    49-59 

— Guard,    for    promotion    of    lieutenants    in    regular    Army,    and 

respecting    Dental    Corps    of    Army    61 

— to    provide    office    rooms   for    30 

Naval  service,  making  appropriations  for 44 

Nurse  corps,  female,  serving  in  Alaska   43 

Officers   of   Army,   Navy,   and   Public    Health    Service,   to    recognize 

services  of,  in  construction  of  Panama  Canal    48 

Ordnance   Department,   to   promote   efficiency    of    23 

— sale   of    unserviceable    13 

Organization   of  Army   9,  15 

■ — better,  of  line  of  Army   33 

— of   cavalry    forces,    to    improve    23 

— of    Military    Establishment    18 

— of  militia  in  District  of  Columbia   8 

Panama  Canal,   to  recognize  services   of  officers  of  Army,   Navy  and 

Public  Health  Service  in  construction  of   48 

Pay  and  emoluments  of  officers  of  Army   22 

Paymasters,  additional,  appointment  of 14 

Pensions,   invalid,    , 12 

— to  grant   21 

Permanent  Military  Establishment  of  United  States,  to  increase  the 

efficiency   of    34-35 

Powell,  Dr.  Junius  L.,  appointed  as  assistant  surgeon    29 

President  authorized   to   accept  volunteers    14 

— authorized  to  enlist  regiments  for  five  years 10 

— authorized  to  raise  regiment  of  dragoons  or  riflemen   14 

— may  alter  Army  rations 12 

Quartermaster's  and   Commissary's   Departments,  powers  and  duties  1-2 

Ration,  President  may  alter 12 

Red  Cross,  American  National,  to  provide  for  the  use  of 43 

Reduction   of  Military  Peace   Establishment  of  United   States 13 

Regiment,  additional,  enlisted  for  five  years  10 

— organization   of    2 

— to  raise  three  regiments  of  riflemen 10 

Relief  of  persons  who  have  performed  duties  of  assistant  surgeons.  .  24 

Retirement  of  medical  officers  of  the  Army    41,  42 

Sale  of  unserviceable  ordnance,  arms,  and  military  stores 13 

— of  viruses,  serums,  toxins,  and  analogous  products  in  District  of 

Columbia,   to    regulate    35 

Secretary  of  War  authorized  to  detail  medical  officer  to  report  upon 

causes  of  epidemic  cholera   27,  28 

Serums,  toxins,  viruses,  to  regulate  sale  of,  in  IJistrict  of  Columbia.  .  35 

Service,  naval,  act  making  appropriations  for    44 

Services,  to  recognize  services  of  officers  of  Army,  Navy,  and  Public 

Health   Service  in  construction  of  Panama  Canal    48 

Staff,  organization  of  general   11 

- — regulating,   of   Army    12 

Stewards,  hospital,  in  Army  33-34 

Supplies  for  Army,  to  provide  for 9 

Support  of  Army   15,   18,  27,  31,  36,  37,  40-42,   59-61 

Surgeons,   additional,  in   Army    4 

— contract,   act   reorganizing   Staff   Corps   of   Army,   suspended    as 

applies  to    28 

— number  of,  increased   13,  33 

— pay  of 1,  13 


66 

Surgeon-General's   office,   appropriation   for   Army   Medical    Museum 

and  Library  of   29 

Surgeon's  mates    1 

— pay  of    1 

System  of  ambulances,  to  establish  a,  in  armies   24 

Term,   of   office,   limited    12 

Toxins,  viruses,  serums,  to  regulate  sale  of,  in  District  of  Columbia.  .  35 

Treasury    Department,    establishment    of 12 

— regulation   of    2 

Troops,  establishment  of,  in   1789    2 

— organization  of,  in  1785 1 

— organization  of,  in  1799  7 

— pay   of    1 

Viruses,  serums,  toxins,  to  regulate  sale  of  in  District  of  Columbia.  .  35 

Volunteers,  employment  of,  to  aid  in  enforcing  laws  18 

— to   provide   for  raising,   forces  of  United   States 44-48 

War  and  Navy  departments,  establishment  of   12 

— prosecution  of,  between  United  States  and  Mexico   15,  16 

— regulation   of    12 

Wounds   received   during  Revolutionary   War    8 


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